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White Rock Lake in East Dallas was much quieter than usual on Friday after the city restricted some activities following a sewage leak upstream in Plano.
Some of the contaminated water might make its way down White Rock Creek into the lake. As a precaution, people and their animals are being told to not get into the water.
Kayaks and sailboats normally out on the water on a bright, summer day instead sat idle at docks and inside storage units. Park regulars are keeping an eye out for anything suspicious floating in the water.
“I'll have to explore other options in Dallas, but White Rock is certainly local,” said Danielle Thornton. “It's convenient for me and it's such a beautiful area asset to Dallas. It bums me out, certainly, that I can't get out on the water. But I'm not gonna let it stop me from getting outdoors.”
Environmentalists don't know how much of the raw sewage spill -- caused by a contractor who ruptured a wastewater pipe 12 miles away near White Rock Creek -- will make it to the popular lake.
The City of Dallas doesn't want to wait to find out. Signs are posted around the lake, informing folks that all water recreation activities have ceased indefinitely.
The water is being monitored by multiple environmental agencies. A city spokeswoman says once its deemed that the problem has been contained, normal operations will resume.
It’s too soon to tell if everything will be back to normal on the lake in time for the Fourth of July holiday. The city says it will keep residents informed through social media and alerts posted on the city's website.