Is Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay at a crisis due to too many visitors?

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Emerald Bay is one of the most photographed spots in the world, with most of the Lake Tahoe's 20 million annual visitors stopping by for at least a glimpse of its breathtaking beauty.

The bay's calm blue water, cascading waterfall flowing into it, the unique island with a tea house, and Vikingsholm Castle beckon more than the photographer with more than 1,000 boats entering the bay daily during the summer. Also visiting the bay are people on canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, campers, hikers, picnickers and beach-goers.

As with recreational spots across the globe, signs are appearing that perhaps too many people are visiting the picturesque bay. While the water remains clear, the island is a different story.

Trash, graffiti and human waste are left behind by people getting to the island.

There have been signs of the bay and island being "loved too much" for decades.

Dan Shaw of California State Parks says there have been ongoing issues with pressure on that small island for years. He said boating has had heavy impacts on the area for a long time and specialists are working on the best way to reduce those impacts.

The parking lots above Vikingsholm and at Eagle Falls are full almost throughout the summer. Campgrounds are booked and Shaw says they estimate 10,000 people are at Emerald Bay each day.

"It's a challenge for us, everybody wants to go there," said Shaw. He reflected on the fact that areas to both the west and east of Lake Tahoe are warming so more people will continue to come to the lake to cool off.

He said State Parks expressed concern in the 1970s on the overuse of Emerald Bay. Those 10,000 people enjoy the area at little or no cost (the parking lot has a fee). There is no money for staff and there is just one ranger for California Parks at Lake Tahoe.

"Not having a patrol boat or lifeguards is a concern," said Shaw.

He said trying to maintain high-quality recreation at all parks is an ongoing challenge...getting people outside to enjoy nature while also protecting those resources.

Zach Lannoy, an owner of Kayak Tahoe, the lone kayak and paddleboard concessionaire in the bay, says they are very aware of the problem at the island. He said they instruct renters on where to land and how to be sensitive of plants on the island.

"We help pick up trash there almost daily," said Lannoy, acknowledging they have an impact to some extent on the island with their renters. -

Water-related concessionaries around the lake have customers that head to the bay as well as private owners of boats, paddleboards and kayaks. The only known source of the trash, waste and graffiti are humans, not their origin.

There are impacted trails and trash left behind around the lake. Hiring more people to clean and maintain the grounds, and installing larger trash cans would help initially, but a continued stewardship message along with patrols are perhaps the only cure.

There are planning efforts underway to manage visitation at Emerald Bay through a corridor plan and the State Parks Foundation is looking into ways to keep the island in a natural state.

Shaw said they want to see positive responses to the issue instead of complaining and pointing fingers as to who is responsible, the boaters or the canoers. Many who frequent the bay say the rented kayakers are constantly at the island and rarely see boaters or swimmers accessing it.

"We need to develop a plan that we can manage and monitor," said Shaw. "We need to patrol and stop the destruction."

The Foundation is considering "Island Angels" or people that would stop by the island to keep an eye on things.

Whatever method it is, the plight of the island needs to be addressed. The tea house that sits on top of it has been replaced before but it is unknown if that would be considered in the future. Graffiti removal methods will continue to be utilized.

Shaw suggested people concerned with the island and bay to contact their representatives in both the County and State governments to get funding for patrols or other protective measures in the area.