Recovering from Hurricane Rita at Lake Livingston Dam

On September 24, 2005, incredibly powerful winds on the dry side of Hurricane Rita caused a combination of surge and waves that damaged approximately 11,000 feet of the rip rap that provides upstream slope protection on the 13,480 foot long Lake Livingston Dam, north of Houston, owned and operated by the Trinity River Authority of Texas (TRA). Lake Livingston Project staff, responding immediately to the crisis, worked night and day during and after the storm to minimize further damage and initiate repairs. Quick funding, 75% by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and 25% by the City of Houston, combined with efficient work by TRA management, land surveyors, engineers, and the contractor, resulted in remarkably fast repair of the dam. This presentation documents the steps taken to move from the hurricane damaged dam back to full service within 7 months of the hurricane's landfall.