Snow could delay opening of grading season at Lake Tahoe for some projects

The Lake Tahoe Basin grading and digging season for permitted projects normally runs from May 1 to October 15, but with the record snowpack this year at the lake, some projects and sites may be delayed this year due to unseasonal amounts of snow and wet conditions.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) said property owners and project managers should plan ahead for delays to the start of grading activity and pre-grade inspections.

Grading and digging activities are confined to drier months to protect Lake Tahoe from sources of erosion and sediment that have been tied to decreases in its famed clarity. During the normal grading season), grading and digging can proceed in dry conditions but are not allowed when a project area is covered with snow, when the ground is saturated, muddy, or unstable, and during periods of precipitation.

The past winter has been a record-breaking season and many sites may still be impacted by snow on May 1st. There is a potential for delays and in some cases, required pre-grade inspections may not be completed until all snow has melted from the site and the site is dry. Working in dry conditions prevents soil compaction and prevents loose soil and mud from washing away from project sites, into roadways, storm drains, waterways, or the lake.

Although all grading must stop in wet conditions, not all digging requires a permit. More information is available at trpa.gov/applications-forms under Grading.