natural rim
How full is Lake Tahoe?
Submitted by paula on Wed, 03/06/2019 - 1:27pm
LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Sierra Nevada has seen epic amounts of snowfall this winter and recent measurements at both Phillips and Mt. Rose show water content of the snowpack well above normal.
Column: Lake Tahoe Shoreline Plan on track
Submitted by paula on Thu, 04/19/2018 - 4:10pm
Lake Tahoe’s shoreline is a place of majestic beauty with sandy beaches and secluded, boulder-strewn coves. It’s where residents and visitors alike go to enjoy Tahoe’s famously cold, clear water, whether they are dipping their toes in for the first time or launching their boat, kayak, or paddleboard for a daily outing.
Lake Tahoe almost full, Upper Truckee River above flood stage
Submitted by paula on Sat, 04/07/2018 - 5:03pm
The rain in the Sierra Thursday and Friday melted snow, sending the water down into rivers and the lake faster than normal. While the Upper Truckee River in South Lake Tahoe is over the banks and flooding the meadow, Lake Tahoe got closer to full.
The Upper Truckee is moving at 1960 cubic feet per minute, much faster than the 112 feet per minute just a week ago. It is also just over 11 feet in height, a few inches above the flood stage per NOAA-NWS.
Lake Tahoe measured at 6228.7 ft above sea level on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. The legal limit is 6229.1, the natural rim is 6223 ft.
Report: Lake Tahoe is getting warmer, trees are dying and algae is increasing
Submitted by paula on Thu, 07/27/2017 - 5:47pm
Climate change has brought major changes to Lake Tahoe including warmer water, an increase in dying trees and a reducing summertime lake clarity.
These and other findings were released today in the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) annual Tahoe: State of the Lake Report for 2016. The year was marked by the hottest temperatures on record followed by a winter of unprecedented levels of rain and snow in the Sierra Nevada.
TERC Director Geoffrey Schladow presented the report at a free public talk July 27 in Incline Village.
Fences going into water along Lake Tahoe shoreline removed
Submitted by paula on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 8:56pm
LAKE TAHOE, Nevada - With the water level rising in Lake Tahoe, new issues have surfaced with the placement of fences at three parcels on the Nevada side that have extended into the lake. During recent drought years, the fences didn't touch water.
One fence was located at the new Tahoe Beach Club in Stateline, another at a private home just north of Cave Rock, and the third at a home in the Elks Point Country Club in Zephyr Cove.
It's official: Wettest winter on record for Northern California
Submitted by paula on Thu, 04/13/2017 - 11:02am
Those who live in the Sierra know its been a wet and snowy winter, but now the record books support what they've experienced over the past six months: It is now the wettest winter on record in the Northern California mountains.
Precipitation measured at eight stations from Lake Tahoe to Mt. Shasta surpassed to old record held for 35 years. In that winter of 1982-1983 there was 88.5 inches of of precipitation measured at the same eight station. Today's measurement was 89.7 inches.
Upper Truckee River recedes, 110.65 billion gallons of water added to Lake Tahoe in 2017
Submitted by paula on Sat, 02/11/2017 - 10:36am
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. = Rain and snow in 2017 has brought Lake Tahoe up to levels not seen since the summer of 2013, and they may pass that point this week.
As of February 11, 2017, the lake is 3.14 feet above its natural rim with an elevation of 6,226.14 feet above sea level. To reach the maximum elevation, Lake Tahoe has just 2.86 feet to go, 1.14 to reach "full."
Lake Tahoe at highest since 2013; Over 66 billion gallons of water added in 2017
Submitted by paula on Sat, 01/28/2017 - 12:07pm
After a series of storms fondly dubbed by South Lake Tahoe locals as "Januburied" and "Snowmaggedon" hit the Lake Tahoe region in January, the water levels in the lake have risen to the highest levels since 2013.
As of January 28, 2017, Lake Tahoe is at an elevation of 6225.08, 2.08 feet above its natural rim of 6,223 feet above sea level. The lake is considered full at the legal limit of 6,229.1 ft, so there is still quite a big of storage left, 482,400 acres of water to be exact.
Lake Tahoe now 1.67 feet above natural rim, highest January since 2013
Submitted by paula on Sun, 01/15/2017 - 1:47pm
Lake Tahoe is filling up with water and is currently holding the most water for the month of January since 2013.
With a natural rim of 6223 feet in altitude, Lake Tahoe is above that by 1.67 feet at 6224.67 today, January 15, 2017. On this date in 2016, the lake was almost three feet lower at 6221.7. The highest January point in the past six years was in 2012 when the lake was at 6226.62. The highest point during this period was on June 5, 2012 when the elevation of the lake was 6227.65.
Second wettest October on record in California
Submitted by paula on Tue, 11/01/2016 - 7:35am
Northern California has been drenched this month, giving the state the second wettest October on record since the Department of Water Resources began keeping track in 1921.
The Lake Tahoe Airport on the South Shore received 7.3 inches of rain in October, just over double of the monthly average of 3.54 inches. This water is helping to fill Lake Tahoe, which rose during the wet mid-October storm by over 3 inches, adding 11 billion gallons of water to the lake.
11 billion gallons of water added to Lake Tahoe; Lake rises 3" during latest storm
Submitted by paula on Tue, 10/18/2016 - 3:43pm
South Lake Tahoe saw over six inches of rain during the series of three storms over the weekend, which did a lot more than bring a little snow to upper elevations.
The storm also send an estimated 11 billion gallons of water into Lake Tahoe according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno. This is equivalent to the average total consumptive water use in a year from the Truckee River by the Truckee Meadows Water Authority. The average metered household in the Truckee Meadows uses about 121,000 gallons a year.
Lake Tahoe at natural rim for first time since April
Submitted by paula on Mon, 09/12/2016 - 8:48pm
On April 9, 2016, Lake Tahoe reached its natural rim for the first time in ten months after a wet winter gave much needed water to the lake. Since then the melting snowpack was enough to keep water levels above its natural rim, that is, until today.
The natural rim is 6,223 feet.
There is 20-50 percent chance of rain in the area through Wednesday, but rainfall amounts aren't forecast to be measurable.
Lake Tahoe's famed clarity threatened with warming temperatures
Submitted by paula on Sat, 07/30/2016 - 5:39am
Lake Tahoe experienced a year like no other in 2015, according to scientists from the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center in its annual Tahoe: State of the Lake Report, released this week.
Lake Tahoe is experienced warming water, a 4.8 foot drop in clarity, increased algae and a lowering water level.
Thanks to global climate change, Lake Tahoe is warming faster than ever according to the report which covers results from tests conducted on the lake in 2015 concerning water temperature, clarity, invasive species and more.
Working to protect our shoreline and enhance recreation access
Submitted by paula on Thu, 07/21/2016 - 3:50pm
Millions of people visit our region each year, and the shoreline is where most of them go to enjoy the beauty and the cold, famously clear water of Lake Tahoe.
The shoreline is also where a challenging mix of planning issues converge: Protecting the environment and our lake’s awe-inspiring scenery, managing recreation access, and respecting private property rights.
Lake Tahoe expected to rise another 1.2 feet this summer
Submitted by paula on Thu, 04/14/2016 - 1:52pm
When Lake Tahoe reached its natural rim on April 9, it was the first time in 300 days that it had done so. Water supply forecasters now expect the lake to rise another 1.2 feet this summer (0.8 feet on the low end to almost 1.9 feet on the high end).
Water supply forecasts are made by the US National Weather Service California Nevada River Forecast Center Forecast Center in coordination with the Natural Resource Conservation Service.
Lake Tahoe reaches natural rim for first time in 300 days
Submitted by paula on Sat, 04/09/2016 - 6:50pm
The wet winter has proven useful for Lake Tahoe. For the first time in 10 months, the lake reached the its natural rim Saturday, April 9, 2016. This last happened in June of 2015 when the lake stayed at or slightly above the rim for a 5 day stretch between June 10th and June 15th. Prior to that, the lake had been below the rim since October 16, 2014.
Wet weekend should bring Lake Tahoe to natural rim
Submitted by paula on Sat, 04/09/2016 - 8:01am
A low pressure system has moved over the Sierra, bringing cooler temperatures and precipitation for the next week. Snow levels will be rather high starting around 9,000 feet, dropping periodically down to 7,500 feet. The highest passes could become slick at times, but major issues are not expected.
Despite snow, Tahoe’s climate still changing
Submitted by paula on Thu, 01/14/2016 - 12:38pm
The New Year is getting off to a phenomenal start with snow falling at Lake Tahoe. It seems long ago since we’ve had snow around the lake, but as California and Nevada continue to grapple with four years of drought and water shortages, the snow couldn’t be falling at a better time.
Drought threatens Lake Tahoe Cave Rock water system
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/21/2015 - 9:05pm
Wave action is damaging pipes for Douglas County’s Lake Tahoe Cave Rock water system that are above the surface, thanks to the drought.
Lake residents get their water from the Lake, once famed for its clarity.
But with the surface continuing to drop, Douglas is looking at means to ensure the water keeps flowing.
County Engineer Nick Charles told Douglas County commissioners at a workshop on Thursday that the Lake level was about 4 inches from activating a Stage 2 drought.
2015 State of the Lake report released: A bluer lake is from reduced algae
Submitted by paula on Thu, 07/23/2015 - 8:23pm
Scientists have determined that Lake Tahoe’s iconic blueness is most strongly related to algae, not clarity. In a report released today from the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, researchers found the lower the algal concentration, the bluer the lake.
In the “Tahoe: State of the Lake Report 2015” report, research shows clarity is controlled by sediment. Blueness is controlled by algal concentration, which in turn is driven by the level of nutrients available to the algae.
Top 13 Reasons South Lake Tahoe is the Place to be this Summer
Submitted by paula on Tue, 06/23/2015 - 7:38pm
1. It is SO much cooler than the valley. With nights in the 40s and days in the 70s and 80s, it’s the perfect spot to cool off!
2. Yes, our beautiful lake is a little lower, but with a depth of 1,644’, a loss of one foot over the next 4 months really isn’t that much. There is still lots of water left to play in!
3. This is a great time to explore the other water sport options since it may not be perfect for motorboats and jet skis. Plenty of places to rent kayaks and stand-up paddle boards.
Recent rains push Lake Tahoe back to its natural rim
Submitted by paula on Fri, 05/29/2015 - 6:49am
Recent rains have Lake Tahoe lapping at its natural rim and while it may stay there for a time, the lake should soon start dropping again during this year of drought.
Thursday, the lake level was officially measured at just a few hundredths of an inch before its rim but a trickle of water flowed from the lake and toward the Truckee River. Similar conditions have existed since Monday, the first time the lake was so high since dropping below the rim last October.
“It’s basically at the rim,” said Federal Water Master Chad Blanchard. “Right now it’s at its peak that we’ve seen.”
Fish removed from Lake Tahoe due to low oxygen levels
Submitted by paula on Mon, 04/27/2015 - 6:29pmAt least 30 fish have been removed from in the area of Lake Tahoe beneath Fanny Bridge as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife combats low oxygen levels caused by the drought.
Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Kirsten Macintyre tells the Truckee Sierra Sun that 26 brown trout and four rainbow trout were caught below the bridge and relocated to a marina about six miles south. Recent readings showed low dissolved oxygen levels in the stagnant water below the bridge, so while there are fish remaining, the lower population should help.
Working Each Day to Keep Tahoe Blue: Limnologist Katie Webb Explains the Threats Facing the Unique Ecology of Lake Tahoe
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 02/17/2014 - 1:47pm
Lake Tahoe is one of California’s greatest natural treasures. It is a beauty to behold, with forested mountains surrounding the deep blue shimmering surface. It is famous for many recreational activities- snowboarding, skiing, hiking, mountain biking, boating, fishing, and sunbathing. But the clear blue waters of Tahoe are in trouble. Invasive species, climate change, and sedimentation all threaten the unique ecosystems of the lake.
