In north Texas there is a man made freshwater lake known as Lake Lewisville. This lake is located on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River near the town of Lewisville. The lake was originally built for flood control and to be a water source for Dallas and surrounding suburbs. However, today it is primarily used for boating and watercraft recreational activities.

In 1945 the United States Congress passed the River and Harbor Act, which called for more construction in the Trinity River basin. This is when construction was started on the Lewisville Dam. At 33,000 feet long this dam was finished in 1955 at a cost of twenty-one million. At this time the Garza Dam holding back Lake Dallas was breached to create the new lake that would have one hundred eighty-three miles of shoreline and 436,000 acres of capacity. The lake was officially called Lewisville Lake in the mid-1970s.

This lake becomes extremely crowded during the summer months since it is the large population centers of Dallas and Forth Worth. The most popular activity in this lake is hunting of water fowl, hunting feral hogs and fishing. The types of fish caught in this lake include large mouth bass, white bass, white crappie, hybrid and striped bass and blue and channel catfish. The most fishing activity on the lake is seen in white crappie and white bass.

The low level of this lake makes it an excellent option to spend a lazy summer day floating around in a canoe or kayak and watching the wonderful sights. There are many native wildlife species you can observe.

Swimming and nightlife are the two biggest attractions to this lake. During spring and summer breaks many people travel to this lake to hang out on the shoreline and enjoy the murky waters.

However, this lake is not recommended for watercraft or sports since it typically has very low visibility, usually only two to three feet. For several years Lake Lewisville was actually ranked as one of the most dangerous lakes in Texas because of the accidents and fatalities that were occurring. The reason for these accidents is because of the shallow areas and water hazards that can be found.

This doesn't mean you can enjoy boating on Lake Lewisville. It simply means that high-speed activities should be avoided on this lake. You also need to pay specific attention to your charts and follow markers carefully. There are three major boat ramps that provide easy access to the water. Just remember to take it slow and obey the laws so you can avoid accidents in the lake.

Even if all the hazards are marked on your chart or through visible markers this doesn’t mean that new tree stumps haven't been uncovered. So be careful when navigating a boat through these waters and you will be fine. The lake is ideal for those who want a relaxing and slow trip around a lake, but not for those who are expecting to experience the faster paced activities of water sports.

• Everything You Need to Know About Lord Howe Island - By : Mairead Foley
  
• Where can I travel in Kenya? - By : Limotek
  
• Adelaide - Explorer's Highway Driving Tour - By : Mairead Foley
  
• FIFA World Cup 2010 - Guide to The Host Cities PART 2 - By : Mairead Foley
  
• A Guide to the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, South Africa - By : Mairead Foley
  
• Gauteng Province, South Africa – Self Drive Tour of Major Sites - By : Mairead Foley
  
• Car Hire East London - So Much to See by Car! - By : Mairead Foley
  
• Cape Town Accommodation and Activities – a horse of a Different Colour - By : Robert D. Thomson
  
• Destination to Turkey - By : Gen Wright
  
• Why Toronto Landmarks Can Sweep You Off Your Feet - By : Gen Wright