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Construction of the lake was financed
through the sale of revenue bonds to be redeemed with income derived from the sale of
water. Water stored in the lake is used to supply industrial, municipal and agricultural
needs in the lower Trinity River Basin and the Houston/Galveston metropolitan area. Its
significance in the face of the extraordinary growth experienced by this region of the
Upper Texas Gulf Coast is tremendous.
Completed by TRA in 1969 at a cost of $83,996,957, Lake Livingston covers approximately
83,000 surface acres and impounds 1,750,000 acre-feet of water at its
normal pool
elevation of 131 feet above mean sea level. (One acre-foot of water is equal to one foot
of water covering one acre of land or 325,850 gallons.) The average depth of the lake is
23 feet with a maximum depth of 90 feet. Lake Livingston has more than 450 miles of
shoreline extending into San Jacinto, Polk, Walker and Trinity Counties. A wide range of
public and commercial recreation facilities including full service marinas, camping and
motel accommodations are located along the shoreline.
The Livingston Dam, constructed across the Trinity
River approximately seven miles southwest of the city of Livingston, is 2-1/2 miles in
length and has an average height of 55 feet. The average base width of the Dam’s
earthen embankment is 310 feet wide. The spillway is designed and constructed to pass
flows of three times the maximum-recorded flow of the river at this site.
Rainfall amounts and current lake
levels are of major concern to those who live in close proximity to a large body of
water. "Real-time" rainfall and lake level information is available from several
monitoring sites around Lake Livingston by clicking on "rainfall amounts"
and "lake levels".
Public access to clearly marked restricted areas
associated with the dam is strictly prohibited. Dangerous back currents and turbulent
waters may exist. Prudent judgment and extreme caution must be used in the area adjacent
to these restricted areas.
TRA is very concerned about shoreline
excavation or construction and a license or proper
authorization must be
obtained from the Authority for any excavation or to construct, place, or operate a pier,
bulkhead, wharf, boatslip, boatstall, dock, barge, building, or other facility on Project
lands controlled by TRA.
Water quality is also a major concern and the
construction or use of on-site sewerage facilities or sewage holding tanks require an
on-site
sewer permit
from TRA.
Although created for water supply purposes, a major
secondary benefit, that of outdoor recreation, resulted from the construction of Lake
Livingston. TRA operates five boat ramps around the lake, which allow free public access to
the lake. Wolf Creek Park, located on the San Jacinto County shoreline, was constructed
and is owned by TRA. Designed to provide uncrowded, family-oriented, year-round camping in
a tranquil atmosphere of hillsides, trees and water, Wolf Creek Park has proven to be one
of the most popular and attractive areas on Lake Livingston. Among the facilities
available at the Park are: full camper hookups, spacious tent sites, wilderness areas,
full service marina and store, fishing pier, boat ramp, picnic areas, playground for kids,
group shelter, fish-cleaning station as well as restroom, shower and washateria
facilities. A lakeside nine-hole golf course available for usage by park visitors is
located near the park.
The most unique aspect of Wolf Creek Park
is its advanced
reservations
program. If you have ever driven hundreds of miles
only to be confronted with a "no vacancy" sign, the advantages of this system
will be very obvious. Wolf Creek Park is run like a hotel or motel. You will find
TRA’s rates competitive and the facilities superb.
Click on "reservations" to learn
more and even make a reservation while linked to our website. Additional information on
Wolf Creek Park can be obtained by writing:
Wolf Creek Park
PO Box 309
Coldspring, Texas 77331
On the Polk County shoreline of the lake, Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department operates Lake Livingston State Recreation Area. Additional
information on Lake Livingston State Recreation Area, other state recreation areas
and state parks can be obtained by writing:
Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, Texas 78744
Another public recreation facility,
also located in Polk County directly below the Livingston Dam and restricted area, is
Southland Park. Facilities include campsites with water and tables, recreational vehicle
sites with full connections, restrooms with showers, full service marina and store.
Besides being a popular camping and vacation area,
Lake Livingston is also known as one of the best fishing lakes in Texas. Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department has stocked the lake with millions of striped bass and Florida bass
fingerlings. These fish, along with native species of largemouth black bass, white bass,
crappie, catfish and bream are abundant in Lake Livingston. The combined result of this
productive environment and continuous stocking program are full stringers and many happy
fishermen. If a big one gets away from you in Lake Livingston, there are always plenty
more to take their place. So, drop a hook in Lake Livingston – the fishing gets
better year after year.
Enjoying the recreational opportunities that abound
at Lake Livingston can be greatly enhanced by paying attention to some "common
sense" water safety rules. No one, most particularly the Trinity River Authority,
wants your good time at the lake to be marred by an unthinkable and unnecessary tragedy.
You would be well advised to seriously consider the following before beginning a day of
leisure and fun at Lake Livingston:
Swimming: Swim only in areas designated for this
purpose. Practice the "buddy" system.
- Be familiar with the lake bottom and water depth in
areas where you swim, dive or wade. Unknown areas and sudden "drop offs" can
cause a drowning tragedy.
- If you can’t swim, wear a Coast Guard approved
flotation device when you are in, around or on the lake.
- Avoid swimming or skiing in areas infested with
aquatic vegetation.
- Distances over water are difficult to judge.
Don’t over-estimate your swimming ability, particularly at the beginning of the
season when you may not be able to swim as far as you did at the end of last year. Be
cautious in your attempts to swim after a float blown across the water by the wind. The
wind can blow faster and longer than you may be able to swim.
Boating: Always wear a Coast Guard approved
floatation device. Boats must carry at least one life preserver for each occupant,
including skiers.
- Obey all Federal and State boating laws and all
regulatory and advisory buoys. All boat operators need to practice good manners and sound
judgment.
- Know the area in which you are boating. Boating at
night on Lake Livingston is not recommended. Partially or totally submerged stumps and
logs are present in the lake. Be aware of the lake elevation. A rise in the lake elevation
can submerge stumps or logs which may have been visible on prior trips when the water was
at a lower elevation.
- Head for shore if bad weather threatens. High winds
can generate extremely large waves at Lake Livingston in a short period of time. Most
pleasure craft are not suited for the turbulent conditions that can develop.
Be advised that land beyond the water’s edge
on Lake Livingston is private property. Boaters venturing onto adjacent land may be
confronted with trespass charges brought by adjacent landowners.
Water Skiing: Always wear a Coast Guard approved
floatation device and have no less than two people in the boat, one to watch the skier and
the other to run the boat.
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