LAKE TAHOE, Nev. – Work on the Marlette Lake Dam rehabilitation project resumed this month. During the 2026 construction season, trail closures will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Trails will be open on the weekends, but scheduling is subject to change without notice depending on construction needs.
Public inquiries and questions can be directed to marlettelakedam@gmail.com or 775-391-4119.
During construction hours, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Lakeview, Franktown Creek, and Pipeline Roads will be closed to the public. All trails within the Spooner Lake and Backcountry State Park boundaries are also closed during construction hours. While construction is underway Monday through Friday, the Tahoe Rim Trail and Capital to Tahoe Trail will remain open.
Visitors are reminded that using closed trails and entering construction zones is strictly prohibited, and law enforcement will be patrolling the area. Access for emergency personnel will remain open throughout the project.
The Marlette Lake Dam is a critical component of the Marlette Lake Water System, which supplies water to Storey County and Carson City. The Dam was constructed in 1873 and raised in 1959. Seepage within the dam was first identified during an inspection in 2017 by the Nevada Division of Water Resources, and it was determined that this seepage could eventually lead to a catastrophic failure. The Marlette Lake Dam Rehabilitation is funded by the FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation Fund and will improve the overall safety of the 150-year-old earthen embankment dam and ensure the longevity of the water resource. Environmental and cultural resource surveys were completed in the four-year planning span of the project in coordination with FEMA. The project is planned to end in October 2026.
