Lake Tahoe's 2020 Clarity Report Card |
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Last week, the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency released findings from their annual Lake Tahoe Clarity Report. The report showed that average clarity in 2020 – or how deep a 10” white plate can be lowered into Lake Tahoe before it becomes invisible from the surface – measured 62.9 feet.
2020’s annual average tracks closely with measurements from the past decade, illustrating that the League’s efforts to arrest the steep downward trend in clarity loss from the 2000s have been successful. On the flip side of the coin, clarity during summer months is getting worse.
The report illustrates that climate change is having an impact on Lake Tahoe beyond drought conditions and record-breaking heat. It also reminds us that major progress is needed to Keep Tahoe Blue. And that’s exactly what the League is pushing for.
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Beach Cleanup Exemplifies #TahoeBlueGooder Spirit |
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It started with an Instagram story. Disturbing photos showed thousands of white polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam) balls, each the size of a fish egg, blanketing Moon Dune beach on Tahoe’s north shore. The culprit: a butterfly-shaped plush float toy with a burst seam.
Then the #TahoeBlueGooder family jumped into action.
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Alison Toy from UC Davis TERC made the first report. |
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The League’s Emily Frey saw the story and quickly contacted Keep Tahoe Blue volunteers and allies with a call for help. They too acted fast, including the California Tahoe Conservancy, California State Parks, Placer County and the North Tahoe Business Association. In less than 24 hours, the beach was clean, and the League's Gavin Feiger had started conversations with the product manufacturer to hold them accountable and prevent this unfortunate event from happening again.
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If you’ve been boating or paddling on the south shore recently, you may have spotted an odd-looking barge near the Tahoe Keys, ringed by yellow floats. This isn’t just another boat, and what’s going on below Tahoe’s surface is far from ordinary. SCUBA divers with Marine Taxonomic Services are removing the Lake’s largest infestation of aquatic weeds. |
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The project kicked off in 2020 after the League raised a red flag about the 100+ acre problem and provided a substantial bucket of funding. Last year’s weed removal proved successful, motivating the California Tahoe Conservancy to provide $500,000 for the effort to continue. Now, a group of agencies and organizations are working together to knock out the infestation, known as the “Tahoe Keys Complex.” |
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If you see the special barge, slow down and steer clear to keep the divers safe.
We created a video series to unpack a few of the tactics being used in our coordinated effort to tackle invasive species.
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10 Beaches - 235 Volunteers - 1,456 Pounds of Trash |
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“People’s passion for protecting Lake Tahoe never ceases to amaze me, even after eight years of organizing cleanups like this one,” said Marilee Movius, Community Engagement Manager for the League. “We had families and groups pass by, see what we were doing, drop their beach chairs and start to help. It goes to show that people want to do the right thing – they just need the opportunity.”
Nobody wants to harm Lake Tahoe; they just might not be aware of the little things they can do to Keep Tahoe Blue. If everyone who visits, lives and loves Tahoe simply leaves it better than they found it, we will be well on our way to a clean, clear, beautiful Lake for generations to come.
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New Online Store Open for Business |
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It's finally here! New site, new style, same special cause.
Visit keeptahoeblue.org/shop for easy, fast and fun shopping to show your love for Lake Tahoe and support our efforts to Keep Tahoe Blue.
Use the code BIGBLUEJULY at checkout to receive 10% off all orders placed through Saturday July 17. One per customer.
More exciting news! Check out our Keep Tahoe Blue Blog, meet the team behind the brand and learn more about all things Lake Tahoe.
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Clubhouse Conversation: New Heights in Sustainable Mountain Travel
June 30 | Eco Travel Club
To Keep Tahoe Blue, it takes collaboration and innovation. In this candid conversation, learn how leaders from the League to Save Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Mountain Resort, Edgewood Resort and others are blazing new trails in sustainability.
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Meet TART Connect: The sustainable and convenient way to explore North Lake Tahoe
June 24 | Go Tahoe North
This summer, keep your car parked and use this free, on-demand shuttle service to take you door-to-door on Tahoe's north shore. Using alternative transportation like TART Connect helps protect Lake Tahoe's clarity.
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June 19 | Tahoe Daily Tribune
Dozens of volunteers improved trails and protected wildlife habitat as part of the League's Tahoe Forest Stewardship Day restoration event in June. Learn what they accomplished.
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June 8 | South Tahoe Now
Against the backdrop of a drought, Tahoe's water level is dropping quickly, closing boat ramps and widening beaches. But there are more than environmental factors at play when it comes to the Lake's level.
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8:30am - 12:30pm | Tuesday, July 20
LIMITED SPACES - South Lake Tahoe
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Help improve and protect sensitive habitat for Tahoe yellow cress, a beautiful flowering plant found nowhere else in the world but Tahoe. Spots are limited for this hands-on restoration event.
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2 - 4pm | Friday, July 23
Zoom
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Attend this training to help tackle the invasive species threat at Tahoe. Learn how to identify native and invasive aquatic plants, report your observations, and assist the League in quickly putting new infestations in check.
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10am - noon | Friday, July 30
Glenshire Pond, Truckee
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Join our team of volunteer citizen scientists to search for aquatic invasive species in Truckee. Every infestation we can detect and control is one fewer threat to the beautiful lakes, rivers and streams in the Tahoe-Truckee region.
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11am - 2pm | Saturday, August 7
SOLD OUT
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Since 1969, fashion and environmental preservation have united to Keep Tahoe Blue. Our annual fashion show is sold out this year, but you can still support the cause. And, a recording of the show will be available after the event.
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4 - 4:45pm | Thursday, August 12
Zoom
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Tahoe Blue Crews adopt their favorite spots around the Lake and protect them from degradation. This virtual session will prepare you to become a Tahoe Blue Crew leader, adopt a litter hot spot, and collect data that contributes to litter prevention solutions.
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Support Our Lake-Saving Work |
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Our efforts to preserve Lake Tahoe are only possible with your support. Consider making a donation today. Together, we will Keep Tahoe Blue. |
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