Zebra Mussel Monitoring Project (ZMMP)

Livingston Reservoir

About Livingston Reservoir

Sources for characteristics are linked from the characteristic's value. Conservation pool elevation datum is NGVD29.

Impoundment Year 1969
Drainage Area 16,583 mi2
Capacity 1,741,867 acre-ft
Conservation Pool Elevation 131 ft
Counties Madison, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity
Primary Uses Water Supply , Recreation
Additional Resources Texas Parks and Wildlife - Livingston Reservoir
Water Data for Texas - Livingston Reservoir
Texas Water Development Board - Livingston Reservoir
Reservoir Status

Texas Parks and Wildlife Status: Infested

The water body has an established, reproducing population of zebra mussels.

USGS Data Collection Activities

Reservoir Map

Blue triangles show USGS data-collection locations.

Zebra Mussel Detection Data

Larvae (Veliger) Detections
Most Recent Detection First Date Detected
05/22/2024 Not Detected 11/04/2014

Larvae detection counts are averaged across all sampling sites.

Zebra mussels typically spawn in the spring and autumn as microscopic, free swimming larvae called 'veligers'. The USGS uses fine mesh nets to sample for larvae during the spawning season.

Adult or Juvenile Detections
Most Recent Detection First Date Detected
05/22/2024 Not Detected 06/25/2015

Adult detection counts are averaged across all sampling sites.

At the end of their larval stage, zebra mussels attach to a substrate and metamorphose into juveniles. The USGS conducts both visual and SCUBA inspections, and deploys artificial substrates as passive samplers, to get a estimate of the juvenile and adult zebra mussel populations.

Water Quality Data

Water-quality monitoring is important for studies of zebra mussel survival, growth, and reproduction. Water-quality data are also important for risk assessments for zebra mussel infestation.