A blue Tahoe means a clear shore

One of Lake Tahoe’s greatest assets is its beautiful shoreline. When we wade into its crisp water, we can often see clear down to our toes. When we swim, we may spot white sand and boulders 20 or 30 feet down. A vast majority of people enjoy the lake’s clarity from shallow areas.

Can you see your toes in Tahoe?

Tahoe’s shoreline beauty is deteriorating rapidly in some areas. We often see algae blooms, water weeds and silt along the shoreline. These are signs that the shoreline ecosystem is rapidly changing.

Restoring deepwater clarity and protecting Tahoe’s shore must go hand in hand.

Threats to shoreline beauty include:

• Road sand runoff
• Water weeds
• Invasive clams and mussels
• Non-native fish
• Nutrients from:
  • fertilizer
  • animal waste
  • sediment
  • boat pollution close to shore

What are the solutions?

Road Sand: Some of Tahoe’s old street sweepers stir up more dust than they collect. The League has been urging jurisdictions to use low-nutrient sand, reduce sand application, use better street sweepers, and sweep more often.

Boat Inspections: Inspections are critical to preventing aquatic invasive species that could permanently disrupt Tahoe’s shoreline ecosystem. The threat is now closer than ever, as reservoirs near Reno have tested positive for destructive quagga mussels.

In summer 2011, an exciting new stewardship program called Tahoe Keepers launched an online tool to help kayakers and paddlers inspect their boats. Find Tahoe Keepers on Facebook to learn how you can help spread the word.

Strong standards, regulations and restoration programs are needed.

The League is also urging policy makers to create comprehensive shoreline protection programs and a robust nearshore clarity threshold. These programs should include clear standards, practicable solutions and a measured strategy for success.

Finally, restoring Tahoe’s watershed is the key to protecting its water quality both near the shore and in its deepwater areas. In the Regional Plan Update, policy makers should retain strong limits on coverage, and ensure property owners install runoff control measures. Tahoe stakeholders should continue to seek federal and state funding to upgrade old drainage infrastructure and restore disturbed wetlands.