Sinkhole Closes Portion of Dallas’ White Rock Trail, Reopens with Monitoring
A sinkhole that forced the closure of a portion of Dallas’ White Rock Trail has been stabilized, and a section of the trail near Garland Road reopened to the public on Thursday, March 13, 2026, according to the city of Dallas statement. The sinkhole, discovered last Friday, is approximately 14 feet deep and measures 4 by 6 feet at the surface, expanding to 4 by 8 feet below ground.
Cause and Repairs
The sinkhole appears to have been caused by a deteriorated and abandoned 36-inch wastewater pipe, leading to erosion according to city officials. Dallas Water Utilities staff backfilled the sinkhole with compacted soil to restore the surface. Crews will continue to monitor the area for any shifting, depressions, or other signs of ground movement.
Future Work and Potential Closures
The city may need to temporarily close part of the trail again to complete additional work, including filling the abandoned pipeline with grout. This is part of a larger effort to address erosion along the trail, following a 2024 report that identified 1,100 feet of shoreline along Garland Road at risk of failure without intervention.
Impact on Local Events
The Dallas Running Club is considering rerouting its April race, the Tal Morrison Half Marathon, as a precaution due to the sinkhole according to club president-elect Michael Baker.
Sinkholes in Texas
Sinkholes are not uncommon in Texas. In 2023, a large sinkhole in Daisetta, near Houston, reactivated after being dormant for 15 years, eventually reaching 900 feet wide and 260 feet deep before stabilizing as reported by CBS News. These geological events occur when the ground beneath the surface can no longer support the land above, often forming slowly but sometimes appearing suddenly with a collapse according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
About White Rock Lake
White Rock Lake is a 1,015-acre city lake located approximately 5 miles northeast of downtown Dallas according to Dallas Parks and Recreation. It is a heavily used park offering a 9.33-mile hike and bike trail, rental facilities, a lake museum, and various recreational activities as detailed on the Dallas Parks website.