05/29/2026
The Trinity River Authority (TRA) is aware of a video circulating online regarding Lake Livingston Dam. TRA routinely monitors and evaluates the condition and performance of the dam in coordination with engineering professionals, regulatory agencies and technical experts.
There is no indication the structural integrity of Lake Livingston Dam has been compromised. Current inspection findings, monitoring information and engineering evaluations do not support claims of sudden or dangerous structural movement at the dam.
Following the historic flooding events of spring 2024 and the completion of emergency spillway stabilization work, additional monitoring and evaluation measures were implemented pursuant to regulatory requirements. These efforts build upon longstanding monitoring programs that include survey benchmarks and ongoing inspections designed to identify and track any meaningful changes in dam conditions over time. Information presented in the online video appears inconsistent with verified inspection records, established monitoring data and direct engineering observations collected during those efforts.
Construction activities associated with the emergency response and stabilization work were completed in January 2025. Following completion of those repairs, the Emergency Action Plan status was downgraded from “Potential Failure Watch” to “Watch Condition.” This status is not related to any observed structural failure or instability at the dam. Instead, it reflects the need for planned long-term spillway improvements based on updated studies of extreme flooding scenarios, including events larger than those experienced during Hurricane Harvey.
TRA continues to work closely with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the East Texas Electrical Cooperative, Inc., the City of Houston and expert engineering consultants on the evaluation, design and implementation of permanent spillway improvements.
During the 89th Legislative Session, the Texas Legislature appropriated funding to assist with those improvements as part of continued investment in critical Texas water infrastructure and long-term water security. Design of permanent improvements is currently underway, with construction anticipated to begin in 2027.
TRA remains committed to transparency and public safety and will continue providing updates as additional information becomes available. For more information, visit www.trinityra.org/LakeLivingstonUpdates
