How Wide Is Lake Livingston in Texas?

Lake Livingston is located about 80 miles northeast of Houston. Having over 90,000 acres, Lake Livingston is the second-largest lake in Texas.

With its piney woods surroundings and hundreds of miles of shoreline, Lake Livingston is a recreational paradise. There are endless opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, and soaking in the peaceful vistas. But exactly how wide is this expansive lake? Let’s take a closer look.

A Massive Man-Made Lake

Lake Livingston covers 82,000 surface acres at normal pool elevation and stretches over 70 miles long. It has a shoreline of 346 miles, undeveloped and serene.

With multiple river channels and an irregular shape, Lake Livingston has a variable width depending on where you measure it. At its widest points, the lake reaches an impressive nearly 9 miles across. That’s an expansive stretch of water!

Measuring Across Lake Livingston’s Main Body

The main body of Lake Livingston runs roughly east/west between the town of Point Blank on the west end and the 190 Bridge on the east end.

At the Polecat Bay area, halfway down the lake, the width is approximately 6.5 miles from shoreline to shoreline. This is one of the broader sections of the main body of Lake Livingston.

Further west, near the town of Onalaska, the lake narrows to around 3.5 miles wide. So as you can see, the width varies significantly as you travel along the main section of Lake Livingston.

History of Lake Livingston

Lake Livingston has a long and exciting history in Texas. The lake was constructed in the late 1960s on the Trinity River as part of the Trinity River Authority’s plan for flood control and water conservation in the region.

Construction on Livingston Dam began in 1966 and was completed in 1969. The dam is located southwest of the town of Livingston, which lends its name to the lake. When the dam gates were closed in 1969, the Trinity River began backing up to form a massive reservoir.

Since its construction, Lake Livingston has become a popular recreational destination for fishing, boating, camping, and water sports. The area also supports diverse wildlife habitats and has numerous parks, marinas, and residential communities along its shoreline.

Today Lake Livingston continues to serve its essential functions of flood control, water supply, and recreation for Texas residents and visitors. It has a rich history as a keystone of infrastructure and natural beauty in the region.

Comparing Lake Livingston to Other Major U.S. Lakes

At nearly 9 miles wide, Lake Livingston offers Texans an abundance of open water recreation. However, it pales in size compared to the mammoth lakes of the Great Lakes system in the northern United States. Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, stretches an incredible 160 miles across at its widest point. Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are also inland freshwater seas, spanning 118 and 105 miles at their broadest, respectively. Even Lake Erie, the smallest by volume of the Great Lakes, dwarfs Lake Livingston at 57 miles wide.

Though Lake Livingston gives Texans a taste of significant lake experiences, it simply cannot match the vast expanses of the Great Lakes. These massive lakes contain over 5,000 cubic miles of fresh water, making up around 21% of the world’s supply of surface fresh water. Their scale and beauty are unmatched anywhere else in the country. Lake Livingston, while impressive as one of the largest man-made reservoirs in Texas, is a humble puddle by comparison to the continental splendor of the Great Lakes.

Crossing Lake Livingston at its Widest Point

At its maximum width of almost 9 miles, it would take even an experienced swimmer a long time to swim across Lake Livingston.
The average person can swim at about a 2 mph pace for a moderate-effort swim.
So at two mph, swimming the almost 9-mile width of Lake Livingston would take approximately 4 hours of non-stop swimming. That’s quite an endurance swim!
And for an average recreational swimmer, swimming the entire length would be practically impossible without rests. Most swimmers would need periodic breaks, likely extending the total time to 6 hours or longer.
Unless you’re training for an extreme marathon swim, attempting to swim the entire width of Lake Livingston is probably not advisable! Taking a motorboat is the recommended way to cross the lake’s widest points.

Abundant Wildlife on the Lake

Lake Livingston is a wildlife haven with abundant diversity across 90,000 acres. The lake contains a mosaic of aquatic habitats, from open water to marshlands, shallow coves, wooded shorelines, and tributaries. This variety supports and sustains plentiful populations of fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Eager anglers can reel in catfish, multiple bass species, white bass, crappie, and more. The winding shoreline provides excellent spawning grounds for game fish to propagate. In the upper reaches and channels, giant ancient alligator gar and carp cruise through the flowing waters.

Turtles, wading birds like egrets, and alligators congregate in the shallow fingers and marshy regions. Surrounding the lake is over 54,000 acres of dense piney woods, bottomland hardwood forests, and riparian habitats bursting with wildlife. White-tailed deer, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, and over 300 documented bird species inhabit these diverse ecosystems adjacent to the lake. For outdoor enthusiasts, Lake Livingston is a treasure trove. It offers world-class fishing, phenomenal nature watching, and wildlife photography opportunities. The lake system truly sustains an abundance of life.

Nearby Attractions to Lake Livingston

There are several attractions near Lake Livingston. When you need a break from the water, you can check out some of the following places. There is something for everyone.

Lake Livingston State Park – This park has hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and swimming areas along the lake shore. The park has over 80 campsites and several miles of hiking trails.
Wolf Creek Park – This park on the lake’s south shore offers hiking, biking, picnicking, and water access. There are also athletic fields, a playground, and a golf course.
Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation – This reservation has a museum, casino, entertainment venue, and golf course adjacent to the lake’s east side. You can learn about the native Alabaman and Coushatta cultures.
Lake Livingston Cruises – Take a leisurely cruise and see the shoreline sights. Options include dinner cruises, family cruises, and private charters.
Piney Woods Wine Trail – This wine trail features several wineries just a short drive from Lake Livingston, where you can taste local Texas wines.
First Monday Trade Days – Near Canton, this huge flea market attracts thousands on the first Monday of each month. With over 2,000 vendors, you can find antiques, crafts, food, and more.
Ty Cobb Museum – Located in Corsicana, about 30 minutes from the lake, this museum honors baseball legend Ty Cobb, who was born in the town.

Conclusion

Whether you’re boating, fishing, or just admiring the views, Lake Livingston’s varying widths make it an always interesting lake to explore. There are always open waters for activities. And the narrower sections create intimate areas to appreciate the piney woods beauty along the shores.

So next time you’re enjoying Lone Star State’s waterways, check out Lake Livingston. And you can relax by its miles of blue waters, abundant wildlife, and peaceful wilderness setting. With shoreline for days, you’ll be sure to make great discoveries on your Texas lake getaway!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Derek Jeffries/Shutterstock.com