Invasive Species Control, Water Quality to be discussed at Tahoe Science Conference

The upcoming Lake Tahoe Science Conference in Incline Village, Nev. will feature presentations from the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) and its partners. Will Anderson of Tahoe RCD’s Watershed Resources Program will present on modeling of storm events, and Jim Brockett will display photographs highlighting aquatic invasive species control projects underway in Lake Tahoe by Tahoe RCD and its partners.

“Comparing data from actual storm events with computer-modeled runoff data is extremely helpful because it helps give us an accurate picture of what’s really happening with storm water runoff. This in turn helps us to improve the models and to make better decisions, spending conservation dollars more wisely and efficiently,” said Tahoe RCD’s Will Anderson. Anderson has been studying applications of the Pollutant Load Reduction Model (PLRM), which is a tool developed by the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board to assist jurisdictions, including the City of South Lake Tahoe, Placer County, and El Dorado County, in developing average annual pollutant load estimates for urban catchments.

While aquatic invasive species prevention efforts, including Lake Tahoe Boat Inspections, continue to be a priority to protect Lake Tahoe from invasive species such as quagga and zebra mussels, some invasive species are already present in Lake Tahoe. Asian clams and Eurasian watermillfoil can negatively affect water quality and pose a nuisance to boaters and swimmers. Tahoe RCD and its partners have been working to control key populations of these invasive species in Emerald Bay, Marla Bay and the Tahoe Keys. “Bottom barriers, when placed over invasive weeds, help to deprive them of sunlight, which effectively prevents further growth” according to Tahoe RCD’s Jim Brockett.rockett’s contribution to the Tahoe Science Conference includes photos and information regarding invasive weed treatments in Emerald Bay.

Other Tahoe RCD partners presenting and discussing aquatic invasive species at the conference include University of Nevada Reno (UNR), California Department of Parks & Recreation and University of California, Davis. In a session moderated by Dr. Marion Whitmann, Sudeep Chandra of UNR will present on the Ecology of Emerald Bay, Dan Shaw of California Department of Parks & Recreation will be discussing aquatic invasive plant control in Emerald Bay, and Allison Gamble of UC Davis will be covering Asian clams.

The Tahoe Science Conference, hosted by the Tahoe Science Consortium and Sierra Nevada College, takes place May 22-24 at the Sierra Nevada College Campus in Incline Village, NV.

Information about Tahoe RCD’s programs, including Invasive Species & Biological Resources and Watershed Resources, can be found online at www.TahoeRCD.org.

About the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD)
The Tahoe RCD’s mission is to promote the conservation and improvement of the Lake Tahoe Basin’s soil, water, and related natural resources by providing leadership, information, programs, and technical assistance to all land managers, owners, organizations, and residents. The Tahoe RCD is a non-regulatory, grant funded, public agency that works with a variety of partner agencies to implement programs and outreach, which currently focus on erosion control, runoff infiltration, terrestrial and aquatic invasive species control, and conservation landscaping.

— Writer Pete Brumis is a Public Outreach specialist for the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD). He can be reached at pbrumis@TahoeRCD.org.