Below Lake Lewisville Dam the Elm Fork is partially impounded by three small dams. The first is the Carrollton Dam at McInnish Park on Sandy Lake Road in the City of Carrollton, the second is the dam at California Crossing Road and Loop 12, and the third is Frazier Dam just east of Texas Stadium (Home of the Dallas Cowboys) along the Dallas-Irving City Limit. The surrounding area is a flood plain, stripped of most native vegetation and primarily undeveloped until the last few years. Valley Ranch, home of the often World Champion Dallas Cowboys, sits in that flood plain, protected by dykes erected to control flooding. Neither of the small dams is runnable, nor should that be attempted at any water level due to strong hydraulic currents below them.

As the Elm Fork leaves Lake Lewisville Dam the river generally flows clear and cool for about 6-8 miles, becoming slower and muddier as it moves toward Dallas. The area has a dense growth of Oak, Elm and Willow trees that shade the river and occasionally produce log jams that become obstacles to paddlers. The section between Lake Lewisville Dam and McInnish Park is home to Dallas Down River Club's annual Trinity River Challenge, and 11.8 mile marathon canoe race that continues to grow in popularity every year. The section of the Elm Fork most frequently used for recreational paddling is from below the Lake Lewisville Dam to California Crossing, a distance of about 22.2 miles, though some people occasionally paddle the greenbelt area between Lake Ray Roberts and Garza-Little Elm Reservoir. For practical purposes this report will describe the section from Lake Lewisville Dam to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Public Boat Ramp and Park at Sylvan Avenue, a total distance of about 34.4 miles.

Montague, Cooke, Denton and Dallas Counties in North Texas, flowing through Lake Ray Roberts, Garza-Little Elm Reservoir and Lake Lewisville to the confluence of the West Fork of the Trinity River in Dallas County, then ending on the mainstream of the Trinity River at Sylvan Avenue in Dallas (North Oak Cliff.)

Dallas 20 miles; Fort Worth 50 miles; Austin 220 miles; San Antonio 300 miles; Houston 240 miles; Oklahoma City 175 miles (all distances are approximate and depend upon starting point, destination point on the river and route taken.)

Generally, the water quality is good as it leaves Lake Lewisville Dam, but the current slows and the quality lowers as it moves toward Dallas. Except after a heavy local rain or big release from the dam, the Elm Fork will be barely flowing and you could be pushed upriver by strong southwest winds, especially in the spring, summer and fall months. It is generally as easy to paddle upriver as downriver due to the normally slow current. The biggest drawback to the Trinity River above and through dallas is the amount of trash that finds its way into the river corridor. Dallas Downriver Club does two annual cleanups on the river between Hebron parkway and McInnish Park, but the effects do not last long enough.

There is almost always adequate water for paddling the Elm Fork, though you will have to make an effort to get downriver. When the prevailing southwest winds kick up it can be a real task getting downriver. The somewhat steep banks lined with trees do not seem to affect the wind as it blows in your face, adversely affecting tracking and downriver speed. Be prepared for a slow paddle of about 1 to 1.5 mph most of the time.

There are no rapids on the Elm Fork. The biggest hazards are log jams and strainers created by washed out trees and vegetation during flood conditions. Carrollton Dam, at about 12.0 miles, is an uncontrolled spillway with a dangerous drop of at least 10 vertical feet into a very strong hydraulic current at the bottom. If going downriver from above Sandy Lake Road, then portage this obstruction on river left. California Crossing Dam, at about 22.9 miles, is an uncontrolled spillway with a very modest drop and hydraulic current. It can be run by paddlers with sufficient skill, but the best advice is to portage on river left and put in about 30-50 yards below the dam. Frazier Dam, at about 28.9 miles, is a significant, uncontrolled spillway dam that MUST be portaged if not taking out above it. The City of Dallas Municipal Water Authority attempts to keep the channel clean and free-flowing, but Mother Nature always seems to win the battle. Travel light, and tie in and waterproof your gear. Take plenty of liquid refreshments during hot summer months. Access is limited, and there are no nearby stores where you can purchase food or beverages.

Access below Lake Lewisville Dam on river right at 0.0 miles; Hebron Parkway bridge below Lake Lewisville Dam at about 5.9 miles (jump the curb on the southwest side of the road and drive down to the "parking area" - the launch area is steep, and will be muddy after rain) on river right at about 5.9 miles; SH 121 east of IH 35 on river right at 6.5 miles is a high bridge access with VERY limited parking and a steep access that will be muddy after rain; IH 35 crossing on river left at 8.7 miles is a high bridge access with VERY limited parking a steep access that will be muddy after rain; Above Carrollton Dam at McInnish Park on Sandy Lake Road on river left at 11.8 miles on a concrete boat ramp - do NOT put in above the dam for downriver trips; Beltline Road crossing on river right at 13.0 miles has bad access and is unsafe for leaving cars; Valley View Road access at 17.2 miles has bad access and is unsafe for leaving cars; T.W. Richardson Park at IH 635 on river right at about 17.9 miles; Royal Lane crossing at 19.8 miles has bad access and is unsafe for leaving cars; Elm Fork Greenbelt access on river right at about 19.0 miles; Bird Fort Trail Park access off Northwest Highway (Spur 348) on river right at about 19.4 miles; California Crossing, below the dam on river left at 21.1 miles (take out above the dam and portage or line boats around it), has a decent access and a park where you can leave cars, but take precautions about valuables left in them. This is a high-crime area where cars have been stolen and/or vandalized; Proctor Road access on river right at about 27.5 miles; TPWD Boat Ramp on river right at Sylvan Avenue at about 34.4 miles.

NOTE: Many access points have steep, muddy banks and dense vegetation that make ingress and egress difficult. Several crossing roads have poor access and limited to no parking at the bridges. It is advisable to scout this river and plan your access points before starting a trip.

There are no campgrounds located along the East Fork of the Trinity River. The often steep banks are not condusive to camping along the streambed, and most adjacent property is privately or municipally owned. The Elm Fork is not the best place for overnight trips, lending itself more to day trips where you paddle downriver, turn around and paddle back to your car at the put-in.

There is three known rental outfitter operating on the East Fork of the Trinity River. You may be able to rent boats and arrange shuttles from several paddlesports retailers in the DFW area, as well.

Dallas Down River Club holds its annual Trinity River Challenge on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River on teh second Saturday in September every year. Access below Lake Lewisville dam is once again open to teh public, so trips can start at the spillway and continue over 34 miles to the TPWD public boat ramp on Sylvan Avenue in North Oak Cliff. Considering the difficulty of access at any of the road crossings, and the lack of adequate and safe places to leave cars, it is generally best to park at McInnish Park in Carrollton on Sandy Lake Road, then paddle upriver, turn around, and paddle back downriver. An alternative is to hire one of the local liveries to run a shuttle for you, or else take along somebody who will not be paddling to run your shuttle upriver, then meet you at the McInnish Park take-out just above Carrollton Dam.

Under no circumstances should you attempt to run Carrollton Dam. Over the years several people have tried and most of them died. There are old souls and bold souls, but there are few old, bold souls. Running the dams at Carrollton and California Crossing is one way of not getting any older. But, if you are looking for a quick place to paddle in the DFW Metroplex, and can deal with the slow to still current and muddy waters, then the Elm Fork is a good getaway for a few hours.