If Tahoe is so pure, why do we see so much attached algae growth on piers and rocks in the near shore?
The appearance of heavy attached algae growths in the nearshore of Lake Tahoe is a fairly recent development that has become highly noticeable since the mid-20th century. The thick mats of green, brown and yellow growths are largely the result of influx of human-caused nutrients from nearby tributaries, storm drains and groundwater. The nutrients are circulated along the shoreline by wind-driven and density currents that bring these nutrients to the stationary algae. The abundant nutrients in combination of readily available sunlight in the shallow water and human-caused warming of the nearshore waters create ideal conditions for attached algae to flourish.
Fact credit: TahoeFacts.com
