El Dorado Beach in South Lake Tahoe another victim of erosion; Beach closed

Erosion from a high water level in Lake Tahoe has prompted closure of El Dorado Beach at Lakeview Commons in South Lake Tahoe.

The beach has been almost non-existent so far this summer with the rains of May and snow melt bringing the lake to 6228.90 feet, about an inch from being full. The lake has been above 6228 feet since March and the constant wave action against the shore has created erosion not only at El Dorado Beach, but in many other locations. The Tahoe Conservancy today closed four of their beaches for the same reason.

The City of South Lake Tahoe Public Works Department has met with Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, Army Corps of Engineers and California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which is required when working on plans concerning Lake Tahoe and the shoreline. They have given the City permission to put in temporary measures to prevent further erosion as a permanent plan is created.

Those temporary measures will include sand bags. The beach is now blocked but people can still access the lake via the boat ramp or eastern side of the beach. Beach users could get hurt entering the lake with the big drop that currently exists.

One idea for protecting the beach in the future is a geotech fabric with is filled with sand and rock that is placed on the shore, then covered with sand so people can still walk on it.

Also, the City could end up putting boulders down to prevent future erosion.

"We need to see which is the best and most cost effective measure," said Jim Marino, Assistant Public Works Director.

Whatever is to be done it will have to be completed by winter when there is increased wave action.

The erosion only happens when the lake has a high level so this year is much like last year.

"We are anticipating a drop of a foot of more," said Marino of the lake level. "That would take the beach back 60 to 80 feet. If the lake drops this summer we won’t see any more erosion, but we still want to go forward with protection for when the lake is high."

The City Council and City Manager are aware of the situation according to Marino.

Whatever measure ends up being taken it will have to be approved by not only the City Council, but the TRPA as well.

"The City appreciates TRPA and Lahontan as they‘ve been great partners on this,” added Marino.