Cedars in Dallas in Dallas County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Water for Dallas

Past * Present * Future

Photographed by James Hulse, January 7, 2025

1. Water for Dallas Marker

Inscription.

Water for Dallas. Past Present Future. During early years of Dallas' development, citizens used private wells for water supply. In 1876, a private water system began to serve downtown from Browder Springs--now Old City Park. In 1881 the City of Dallas acquired the Browder Springs system. Dallas Water Utilities, an enterprise department of city government, developed from this modest beginning into a regional water system serving all of Dallas plus neighboring communities., 1881 - Browder Springs: Water service provided as a public enterprise., 1886 - Turtle Creek Plant: Trinity River used for water supply., 1896 - Record Crossing Dam: To secure higher water quality, moved source upstream to Elm Fork of the Trinity River., 1903 - Bachman Lake: Dallas' first water supply reservoir., 1909 - Drouth (to 1912): Water rationed, and delivered by horse-drawn wagon., 1913 - White Rock Lake and Treatment Plant: First chemical purification of Dallas water., 1914 - Turtle Creek Treatment Plant: Added sand filtration and chlorination, providing first complete treatment process., 1928 - Lake Dallas: First water reservoir outside Dallas County., 1930 - Bachman Treatment Plant: Water from Lake Dallas; Turtle Creek and White Rock plants closed., 1951 - Drouth (to 1957): Most severe in Dallas' history. White Rock Plant reactivated, deep wells drilled, water pumped from Red River, water rationed., 1953 - Dallas Water Survey Committee: Citizen group appointed to address Dallas water supply needs to year 2000., 1958 - Year 2000 Plan: Report of citizen group adopted by City Council. An aggressive program of water supply development followed. Lakes Grapevine and Lewisville were completed, Lakes Tawakoni and Ray Hubbard were constructed, water rights in Lake Palestine were acquired. Dependable yield of these sources total 420.4 million gallons per day., 1971 - Water Supply Advisory Committee: Citizen group appointed to update year 2000 plan and to extend to year 2050., 1975 - Year 2050 Plan: Report of citizen group adopted by City Council. Construction of new pipelines, pump stations and treatment facilities to get the water from the existing lakes to Dallas customers continued. City council authorized contracts to develop water supplies at Ray Roberts Lake and Lake Fork for adequate supply beyond year 2000., 1980 - Record Year: Hottest weather in Dallas' history set water use records without rationing., 1981 - Centennial Celebration: Dedication of this memorial honors those who planned Dallas water system and signifies a rededication of Dallas citizens to long range water supply planning.

During early years of Dallas' development, citizens used private wells for water supply. In 1876, a private water system began to serve downtown from Browder Springs--now Old City Park. In 1881 the City of Dallas acquired the Browder Springs system. Dallas Water Utilities, an enterprise department of city government, developed from this modest beginning into a regional water system serving all of Dallas plus neighboring communities.

1881 - Browder Springs: Water service provided as a public enterprise.

1886 - Turtle Creek Plant: Trinity River used for water supply.

1896 - Record Crossing Dam: To secure higher water quality, moved source upstream to Elm Fork of the Trinity River.

1903 - Bachman Lake: Dallas' first water supply reservoir.

1909 - Drouth (to 1912): Water rationed, and delivered by horse-drawn wagon.

1913 - White Rock Lake and Treatment Plant: First chemical purification of Dallas water.

1914 - Turtle Creek Treatment Plant: Added sand filtration and chlorination, providing first complete treatment process.

1928 - Lake Dallas: First water reservoir outside Dallas County.

1930 - Bachman Treatment Plant: Water from Lake Dallas; Turtle Creek and White Rock plants closed.

1951 - Drouth (to 1957): Most severe in Dallas'

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history. White Rock Plant reactivated, deep wells drilled, water pumped from Red River, water rationed.

1953 - Dallas Water Survey Committee: Citizen group appointed to address Dallas water supply needs to year 2000.

1958 - Year 2000 Plan: Report of citizen group adopted by City Council. An aggressive program of water supply development followed. Lakes Grapevine and Lewisville were completed, Lakes Tawakoni and Ray Hubbard were constructed, water rights in Lake Palestine were acquired. Dependable yield of these sources total 420.4 million gallons per day.

1971 - Water Supply Advisory Committee: Citizen group appointed to update year 2000 plan and to extend to year 2050.

1975 - Year 2050 Plan: Report of citizen group adopted by City Council. Construction of new pipelines, pump stations and treatment facilities to get the water from the existing lakes to Dallas customers continued. City council authorized contracts to develop water supplies at Ray Roberts Lake and Lake Fork for adequate supply beyond year 2000.

1980 - Record Year: Hottest weather in Dallas' history set water use records without rationing.

1981 - Centennial Celebration: Dedication of this memorial honors those who planned Dallas water system and signifies a rededication of Dallas citizens to long range water supply planning.

Erected

Dedication Plaques image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 7, 2025

2. Dedication Plaques

1981 by Dallas Water Utilities.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 32° 46.386′ N, 96° 47.322′ W. Marker is in Dallas, Texas, in Dallas County. It is in Cedars. It is at the intersection of Gano Street and S St Paul Street on Gano Street. The marker is located at the southeast side of the water fountain. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1717 Gano Street, Dallas TX 75215, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Saloon (a few steps from this marker); Browder Springs Hall (a few steps from this marker); Blum Brothers General Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Chautauqua Pavilion (within shouting distance of this marker); Citizen's Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Cherokees in Dallas (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroad Depot (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dallas.

More about this marker. The historical building and marker are located on the grounds of the Old City Park which is a free park managed by the City of Dallas.

The view of the fountain with the dedication plaques next to the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 7, 2025

3. The view of the fountain with the dedication plaques next to the marker

The view of the Water for Dallas Marker in the park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 7, 2025

4. The view of the Water for Dallas Marker in the park

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 316 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 8, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.