water safety

Paddlers enjoying Lake Tahoe now have an updated resource available to navigate the 72 miles of the lake's shoreline.

The Sierra Business Council has just released the 2019 Lake Tahoe Water Trail Map & Access Guide to help paddlers safely find their way along the water route. It pinpoints all of the 37 public launch and landing sites, including the Lake Tahoe Water Trail's 20 trailhead sites with wayfinding signage, restrooms and parking.

Hiking trails have maps, roads have maps, bike trails have maps, and water trails have maps.

The Lake Tahoe Water Trail has been in place since 2003 and is a designated water route along the 72-mile shoreline that connects public launch/landing sites to help paddlers have a safe, responsible, and fun recreation experience while practicing good stewardship that protects the watershed.

The connect users to the trail, a newly designed website has been launched with paddle routes listed that match abilities and interests, navigation tools, and water safety tips.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The body of a 21-year-old California man was located in Lake Tahoe Sunday afternoon, more than 24 hours after he jumped off a boat near Edgewood Tahoe.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office cadaver dogs alerted others to the body of the man about one-quarter mile off shore between Tahoe Meadows and Lakeside Marina just before 5:00 p.m. Sunday, according to South Lake Tahoe Police Officer Traci Trapani.

The identity of the man is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.

In 2015, the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) spent more than $250,000 to remove illegally stocked northern pike that had decimated the trout fishery at Comins Lake, and now that work, time and money were for naught.

The voracious predator has again been illegally planted in the lake south of Ely, Nevada.

LAKE TAHOE - Boating, rafting, kayaking and paddling are just a few ways to enjoy beautiful Lake Tahoe, but they come with simple safety precautions and preparations to ensure that day is complete and enjoyable.

"People are very excited to get on the water," said Edwin Lyngar, Nevada Department of Wildlife's (NDOW) Water Educator. "Take safety precautions as you can't depend on luck."

Lyngar as well as both California and Nevada water safety experts were at Sand Harbor last week to inform the public about how easy it is to be safe on the water.

It’s going to be a paddler’s paradise this summer.

"Swim Smart, Swim Safe: know the dangers of cold water" is the message coming from agencies responsible for boating and water safety on Lake Tahoe, especially after the recent deaths in the lake of two healthy men.

Drowning incidents from boating, paddling and swimming often share the same cause, "cold water shock," an involuntary gasp reflex caused by sudden immersion in cold water. Swimmers and boaters suddenly exposed to the cold waters of Lake Tahoe may experience rapid breathing, gasping, fainting, muscle failure and immediate risk of drowning.

Two upcoming series of classes offered by the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Department will train participants to become water safety instructors and lifeguards.

The American Red Cross Blended Learning Water Safety Instructor Class and participants must register for this class by April 28 at www.cslt.sportssignup.com. American Red Cross Certified Instructor Larry Phippen will be teaching the calls that trains candidates to teach courses and presentations in the Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety Program.