White Rock Lake

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White Rock Lake
from the air, downtown and Uptown Dallas in the background
Location	Dallas, Texas
Coordinates	32°50′19.20″N, 96°43′19.25″WCoordinates: 32°50′19.20″N, 96°43′19.25″W
Lake type	reservoir, recreation
Primary inflows	White Rock Creek
Primary outflows	White Rock Creek
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	1,254 acres (507 ha)^[1]
Max. depth	18 ft (5.5 m)^[2]
Water volume	18,160 acre·ft (0.02240 km³)
Surface elevation	458.1 ft (139.6 m)^[1]
Settlements	Dallas
References	^[1]^[2]

White Rock Lake is a man made reservoir and freshwater lake located in east Dallas, Texas (USA) used for a small portion of Dallas' drinking water and for condenser cooling at a steam-electric generating plant.^[1] The lake was formed by damming White Rock Creek, which today widens into the lake before continuing south out of the spillway and emptying into the Trinity River.^[1] The lake covers 1,254 acres (5.1 km²) in the east Dallas community.^[1]

[edit] History

Construction on White Rock Lake began in 1910 due to a city-wide water shortage, and was completed in 1911.^[1] The estimated cost of the dam and spillway project was $260,000. In 1929, its role as the main water supplier for the area was supplanted by Lake Dallas (now Lake Lewisville).

In the early 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Dallas Park Board began developing the shores of the lake into park land in response to residential development in the area.^[1] In 1943, the federal government used barracks at Winfrey Point to house World War II German prisoners of war who had served in Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps.^[1]

Neighborhoods that developed around the lake have become some of the more desired residential areas in the city. They include Lakewood, Forest Hills, Little Forest Hills, Old Lake Highlands, Lake Park Estates, Lochwood, and Casa Linda.

The area fell into disrepair beginning in the late 1950s. As car culture began to permeate throughout Dallas, youth from around the area would set Flagpole Hill, in particular, as a cruising destination. The area surrounding the lake was popular as well. As the years progressed, it became known as a spot where youth could congregate and drink illicitly.

[edit] Recreation

After its function as a water source was supplanted, White Rock Lake continued to serve as a recreational lake for the city of Dallas. Suburban residents also frequented it as well. From its earliest days, area residents wanting to get away from home constructed cabins on leased property along its shoreline. The Bonnie Barge, for example, was operated on the lake by Garland resident John H. Williams, Sr. from 1946 to 1956.

Although originally permitted, swimming was banned in September 1952. A ban on motorized boats followed in 1958.

The lake is surrounded by White Rock Lake Park, which features a 9.33 mile (15 km) trail for hiking, running and bicycling, the Bath House Cultural Center and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. There are several fishing piers and sailing is permitted.

[edit] Sailing

The Corinthian Sailing Club was chartered in 1939 to promote the sport of sailing and sailboat racing in the Dallas area. The club focuses on racing with well attended Sunday afternoon races, club sponsored regattas held year round, and several major annual regattas. The club is nationally known for its excellent sailors and fine race management. CSC, located on beautiful White Rock Lake in Dallas, also sponsors many social activities, teaches adult sailing and supports an active juniors program.

[edit] White Rock Marathon

Many events are held at White Rock Lake, including the White Rock Marathon, which, for part of the course, runs around the lake.^[3] The White Rock Marathon is recognized as a top 10 marathon within the United States, and serves as a Boston qualifier. The primary beneficiary of the marathon is Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

[edit] Flora and fauna

The lake contains catfish, sunfish, Crappie, Carp, gar and bass.

[edit] Folklore

A well-known Dallas legend is the legend of the Lady of White Rock Lake. The tale goes (there are a lot of area residents who claim the story is true) that the ghost of a girl in her early 20s will appear at night, dripping wet in 1920s dinner evening wear, and a car passing along the road circling the lake will stop. The girl tells the driver she had an accident and needs to get home. The driver will then drive to the address given, and when he (or she) arrives, the girl is gone, leaving only a waterlogged seat. The driver then learns after knocking on the door of the house that the girl was their daughter -- she died by drowning when she fell out of a boat on the lake at night many years ago. Some later stories report that the driver taking the girl going to the address arrives, and the house is no longer there: it was torn down years ago and is now the site of an apartment complex. Reports of the ghostly encounters were published in Dallas-area newspapers in the 1960s.

Another Lake pastime popular with young adults was viewing The Submarine Races. When there were no curfews at the park, it became a popular spot for high schoolers wanting a deserted, yet beautiful spot for necking. Whether in a car or on a blanket, viewing The Submarine Races at White Rock Lake was popular well into the 1980s.