Lake Livingston, Polk County, Texas
Nestled in the East Texas Piney Woods, Lake Livingston emerges as a significant reservoir managed by the Trinity River Authority (TRA) of Texas. Spanning over Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Walker Counties, it stands as the third-largest lake in Texas, following the Sam Rayburn Reservoir and Toledo Bend Reservoir.
Geographical Overview
The lake extends over a vast surface area of 130 square miles (336 km²), with a maximum depth of 90 feet and an average depth of 23 feet. It’s fed and drained by the Trinity River, covering a catchment area of 16,616 square miles (43,040 km²).
Dam and Reservoir Features
Lake Livingston owes its existence to the Livingston Dam, which stretches 2.5 miles (4 km) with an average depth of 55 feet (17 m). Constructed primarily for water-supply purposes, it facilitates the needs of the lower Trinity River Basin and the Houston/Galveston metropolitan area.
Historical Context
The reservoir’s construction commenced in 1966 and reached completion in 1969. Funded through revenue bonds, the total cost of building the earthen dam amounted to approximately $84 million, equivalent to over $721 million in 2023 dollars.
Ecological and Recreational Significance
The lake’s ecological system supports diverse fish species like largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish. The area is embellished with public and commercial recreational facilities, including marinas, camping sites, and motels, making it a hub for leisure activities.
Infrastructure and Operation
Lake Livingston’s dam, engineered by Brown and Root, Inc. (now KBR, Inc.), features a concrete spillway designed to handle substantial water flow. Its spillway crest sits at 99 feet above mean sea level. The dam’s broad base and spillway capacity ensure effective management of the lake’s water levels.
Flood Control and Natural Disasters
Interestingly, Lake Livingston was not designed with flood control capabilities. Thus, any increase in inflow necessitates a corresponding discharge. This characteristic was notably tested during Hurricane Rita in 2005 and Hurricane Harvey in 2017, leading to significant repair and management challenges.
Cultural References
Lake Livingston has made its way into popular culture. It was the setting for Joe McKinney and Michael McCarty’s “Lost Girl of the Lake,” a Bram Stoker Award Finalist, and featured in the television show “River Monsters” on Animal Planet.