Lake Tahoe Friday fact

Paddleboarding off Speedboat Beach, Lake Tahoe — Image by Guy Johnson

Does pollution endanger Lake Tahoe?

Lake Tahoe has lost about one-third of its world-renowned clarity since 1968. The major component of clarity loss is fine particles, with nearly three-quarters originating from development-impacted watersheds. Another important pollutant is nitrogen, over one-half of which comes from atmospheric fallout created by vehicle exhaust and pollution blown in from surrounding urban areas. A third critical pollutant is phosphorus, with disturbed and natural watersheds contributing two-thirds of the load. All wastewater is treated and exported from the Basin. Lake Tahoe is designated an Outstanding National Resource Water under the Federal Clean Water Act.

Fact credit: TahoeFacts.com

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