Grant awarded to test ultraviolet light in killing aquatic invasive plants in Lake Tahoe

The Tahoe Resource Conservation District (TRCD) was awarded a $260,128 grant to conduct a pilot project to kill invasive weeds at Lakeside Beach and Marina in South Lake Tahoe with ultraviolent C (UVC) light. The California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) awarded the grant during their board meeting held in Tahoe City Thursday, March 16.

TRCD will use innovative new technology that uses ultraviolet light to kill aquatic invasive species (AIS). The technology was successfully demonstrated in a laboratory and this project seeks to determine its effectiveness in Lake Tahoe.

The project will use UVC light in two lake environments, a marina (Lakeside Marina) and open water (Lakeside Beach). Testing will be performed to determine efficacy of this technology in eradicating Eurasian watermilfoil and Curlyleaf pondweed, at various durations and intensities of UVC light.

"This project will provide Tahoe Resource Conservation District with funding to work with its partners to perform a pilot study using UVC light to stunt growth of aquatic invasive plants, potentially resulting in their mortality," said the final grant award.

The funding is coming from the Lake Tahoe Science and Lake Improvement Account that was established through 2013's California Senate Bill 630 (SB630). Money for this account comes from rental income collected by the State Lands Commission for surface uses on Lake Tahoe.

Since 2014, the Conservancy Board has authorized $350,000 in SB630 funding for Lake Tahoe AIS efforts.

-South Tahoe Now Staff Report