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In the NewsTahoe Clarity Hits 10-Year High
date posted: June 17 2003
In 2002, Lake Tahoe was the clearest it had been in 10 years, UC Davis researchers announced in February. The UC Davis Tahoe Research Group, which has worked with Tahoe policy-makers for more than 40 years, said the new finding could mean that science-based recovery projects in the region are making a difference.
"These are encouraging results, and we hope they indicate the beginning of the lake's recovery," said Charles Goldman, director and founder of the Tahoe Research Group.
"However, 10 years is a short time and it is too early to say if the recent improvements will continue. "We must keep up our efforts to prevent water and air pollution, or we may still end up with a green lake."
The new Secchi depth data show that in 2002 Lake Tahoe clarity reached an annual average of 78 feet. It has not been that clear since 1992, when it reached 78.3 feet. In 2001, lake advocates were heartened by the finding that the disk could be seen to an average depth of 73.6 feet. This remains a far cry from 1968, when Secchi measurements began. At that time, the disk could be seen at an average depth of 102.4 feet.
The Tahoe Research Group's data are routinely used by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, which leads the program to restore the health of the Tahoe Basin ecosystem. The cornerstone of the agency's restoration activities is its Environmental Improvement Program (EIP), a large group of projects designed to achieve and maintain healthy natural resources. Goldman said those restoration activities, as well as others, may have contributed to the improvement seen in 2002. He also noted that 2001 and 2002 were drier than average, which reduced runoff and could have contributed to the clarity improvement.
"Whether or not runoff was reduced by low precipitation or by improvement projects, or both, the lake may be showing that it can recover," Goldman said.
Juan Palma, former TRPA executive director added, "We were also pleased to see a significant decrease in algae growth last year. These positive numbers should motivate us to continue our strategy of investing in soil-erosion control, storm-water treatment and transportation alternatives.”
The UC Davis Tahoe Research Group works on scientific problems in the basin in collaboration with local, state and federal agencies and the private sector. Research partners include the University of Nevada, Reno; Desert Research Institute; Tahoe Regional Planning Agency; Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board; California EPA; California Air Resources Board; Nevada Department of Environmental Protection; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; USDA Forest Service; U.S. Geological Survey; and LTEEC’s Clean Water Team, a citizen volunteer group.
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