Last weekend, an intense atmospheric river dumped inches of rain and even more snow across the Basin. The storm lifted the Lake’s water level back above its natural rim, but it also drove a mighty amount of stormwater into Big Blue.
Volunteers with the League’s Pipe Keepers program braved the storm to collect and test stormwater samples from 26 sites along the Upper Truckee River, Cold Creek and Trout Creek – waterways that drain the slopes scorched by the Caldor Fire.
Our citizen scientists' work was especially important last weekend, when the first major storm after the fire threatened to wash loose soils and ash down the burned slopes, toward the Lake.
The results? There was no downstream evidence of severe Caldor-related impacts. Fortunately, stormwater infrastructure – like drains, pipes and basins – restored by the League and partners prevented the nasty stuff from running directly into Lake Tahoe.
While the initial signs are good, the League will continue to keep an eye on stormwater with a special Pipe Keepers task force. You can join the team. Email protect@keeptahoeblue.org or visit keeptahoeblue.org/volunteer.
