SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. –  On the morning of Saturday, May 9, volunteers will fan out across the Tahoe-Truckee watershed to collect and test water samples from creeks, streams, smaller lakes, and Lake Tahoe itself to take a “snapshot” of water quality at a single moment in time for this important source of drinking water and outdoor recreation.

Keep Tahoe Blue is coordinating volunteer teams to sample sites along Lake Tahoe’s South Shore, from Meeks Bay to Zephyr Cove, and up to the headwaters of the Upper Truckee River.

Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are invited to become citizen scientists for the day, experience beautiful and rarely visited spots, and collect data that helps protect Lake Tahoe. When you join, you will sample and test the water for things like dissolved oxygen, pH, nutrients, and more.

“Snapshot Day is a fan-favorite event because it directly connects people with this beautiful watershed where they live, work or play — but in a completely different way,” said Courtney Baumann, Keep Tahoe Blue’s engagement manager and event organizer. “Join us on May 9 and see why we have citizen scientist volunteers who participate year after year.”

This Saturday will mark the 26th Tahoe-Truckee Snapshot Day. The past 25 years of water quality data have been compiled into an interactive StoryMap that you can explore at keeptahoeblue.org/ssd.

WHEN

Saturday, May 9

  • 9:00 am – noon: Water Sampling
  • Noon – 1:00 pm: Lunch, raffle, and celebration

WHERE

Meet at the Lake Tahoe Community College, 1 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe. From there, volunteer teams will travel to various sites around Lake Tahoe’s South Shore.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Register in advance at keeptahoeblue.org/ssd2026.

WHO

Volunteers of all ages are welcome. No prior experience is required. You can sign up as an individual, family, or group.

Partner organizations will conduct water sampling for North Tahoe, the Middle Truckee River, and Pyramid Lake on the very same day. Learn more at tahoetruckeesnapshotday.org.

WHAT

Since 2001, Snapshot Day partners have sampled sites from Meyers to Tahoe’s North Shore, continuing on to Truckee and through Reno, ending at Pyramid Lake. By collecting water quality data from the same sites each year, Keep Tahoe Blue and event partners can track changes in the health of Lake Tahoe and the Truckee River watershed. Snapshot Day also provides a unique opportunity for the community to connect with the environment in their own backyards through hands-on, scientific fieldwork.

Learn more about Snapshot Day and see the past 25 years of data at keeptahoeblue.org/ssd.