Lake Livingston dam
Lake Livingston
Lake Livingston, located in Goodrich, Texas, is a vital water resource managed by a public utility and regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The dam, completed in 1969, stands at a height of 90 feet and boasts a storage capacity of over 3.2 million acre-feet. With a surface area of 83,000 acres and a drainage area of 16,594 square miles, Lake Livingston plays a crucial role in flood control, water supply, and recreational activities in the region.
Owned by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Lake Livingston's dam features 12 Tainter radial gates for water release. The reservoir's high hazard potential necessitates regular inspections and emergency action planning, with a recent assessment indicating a need for further evaluation. Despite some data gaps in its condition assessment, Lake Livingston remains a key asset for water management in Texas, serving as a hub for water enthusiasts and climate advocates alike.
Surrounded by the natural beauty of San Jacinto County, Lake Livingston provides a picturesque backdrop for outdoor activities and eco-tourism. Its strategic location along the Trinity River and vast storage capacity make it a crucial resource for maintaining water quality, supporting wildlife habitats, and adapting to changing climate patterns. With ongoing regulatory oversight and a commitment to safety and sustainability, Lake Livingston continues to be a beacon of water stewardship in the Lone Star State.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Lake Livingston -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Trinity Rv Nr Goodrich | 10,600 cfs | → |
| Long King Ck At Livingston | 39 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv At Romayor | 10,600 cfs | → |
| Menard Ck Nr Rye | 41 cfs | → |
| Kickapoo Ck At Onalaska | 55 cfs | → |
| E Fk San Jacinto Rv Nr Cleveland | 49 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Livingston.
Boat launches
- Livingston Trail Polk County
- State Park Road 65 1034, Livingston
- Barn Hill Road, Shepherd
- Fm 2457 4298, Polk County
- Caney Creek Drive 401, Polk County
Campgrounds
- Lake Livingston State Park
- Wolf Creek Park - Lake Livingston
- Double Lake Recreation Area: (936) 344-6205
- Double Lake Recreation Area
- Double Lake
- Lone Star Trail Primitive Camp Site Number 1
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Farm To Market Road 1375 To East Fork Of San Jacinto River
- Preserve Boundary In The Big Sandy Unit To Confluence With Trinity River
- Preserve Boundary Of The Big Sandy Unit To Confluence With Village Creek
- Confluence With Big Sandy Creek To Confluence With The Neches River
- State Highway 7 To Us Highway 59
- Preserve Boundary In The Lance Rosier Unit To Confluence With Pine Island Bayou
Track Lake Livingston in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Lake Livingston
Where does the data for Lake Livingston come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Lake Livingston.