Lake Tahoe

North Lake Tahoe Aerial photo Don Ramey Logan

Lake Tahoe, view of California from Nevada side

Sunrise over lake Tahoe

Emerald Bay Oct 2023

Tunnel Creek Road, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, 20220904, 02

Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake located in the Sierra Nevada of the United States. Lying at 6,225 ft (1,897 m), it straddles the state line between California and Nevada, west of Carson City. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, and at 122,160,280 acre⋅ft (150.7 km³), it trails only the five Great Lakes as the largest by volume in the United States. Its depth is 1,645 ft (501 m), making it the second deepest in the United States after Crater Lake in Oregon.

Geography

Lake Tahoe is about 22 mi (35 km) long and 12 mi (19 km) wide, with a surface area of 191 square miles (490 km²). The lake is known for the clarity of its water and the panorama of surrounding mountains on all sides. The area surrounding the lake is also referred to as Lake Tahoe, or simply Tahoe. More than 75% of the lake's watershed is national forest land, offering world-class outdoor recreation opportunities in every season.

History

The area around Lake Tahoe was originally inhabited by the Washoe people, who called the lake "Da ow a ga," meaning "edge of the lake." The lake was first recorded by John C. Frémont in 1844, who named it "Lake Bonpland" after Aimé Bonpland, a French botanist. However, it was later renamed for Tahoe, a mispronunciation of the Washoe word for the lake.

Climate

Lake Tahoe has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csb) in the summer, featuring warm, dry days and cool nights, and a cold climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc) in the winter with snowfall averaging 215 inches (550 cm) at lake level.

Ecology

The lake is home to a number of fish species, including Lake trout, rainbow trout, and Kokanee salmon. The introduction of non-native species has been a concern for the lake's ecosystem. Efforts are underway to restore the lake's clarity and health through various environmental protection and restoration projects.

Recreation

Lake Tahoe is a major tourist attraction in both Nevada and California. It is home to a number of ski resorts, summer outdoor recreation, and tourist attractions. Snow and skiing are a significant part of the area's economy and reputation. Mountain and lake scenery are attractions throughout the year. The Nevada side also includes large casinos, with highways providing year-round access to the entire area.

Conservation

The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit manages the land around the lake, with a focus on conservation and sustainable use. Efforts to protect and restore Lake Tahoe's natural beauty include reducing road runoff that could cloud the lake's water, combating invasive species, and restoring natural habitats.

See Also

• Sierra Nevada (U.S.)
• Freshwater lake
• Ecosystem
• Conservation