Lake Livingston

Lake Livingston is a reservoir in east Texas covering about 336 square kilometers with a shoreline stretching more than 720 kilometers through wooded hills and shallow coves. The water reaches depths of up to 27 meters in places and fills a wide valley that spans several counties.

Work on the dam started in 1966 and finished in 1969 when the Trinity River was impounded to supply water to Houston. Completion forced residents of several small towns to relocate before the valley was flooded.

The name honors a town now submerged beneath the water, whose residents relocated in the late 1960s when the dam was built. Many families still return to shoreline spots today, visiting places that recall their former community.

Shoreline areas are accessible via several approach roads, with paved and unpaved paths leading to different launch ramps and picnic sites. Some zones suit quieter hours by the water, while others see frequent boat traffic.

A hydroelectric plant at the dam generates power year-round for thousands of households in the region. Turbines work with the flow of the Trinity River, using the elevation difference created by the impounded water.

Location: Polk County

Elevation above the sea: 40 m

GPS coordinates: 30.74000,-95.15000

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26