If you are from California, or have lived here for a while, you most likely have encountered the “Keep Tahoe Blue” stickers that many folks put on the back of their vehicles – perhaps most especially if you are making the drive up to Lake Tahoe. The League To Save Lake Tahoe, started in 1957, is an environmental watchdog organization comprised of dedicated volunteers that focus on a variety of topics of the lake’s health and ensuring that invasive species do not alter the water’s clarity and transparency – thus, focusing on keeping Tahoe blue! This organization also has UC Davis researchers studying microplastics in the lake and also has released research that algae is the primary factor in Lake Tahoe’s blue color, not clarity. Beginning in 2017, UC Davis researchers examined the entire shoreline with a helicopter and drone several times per year, which enabled a clearer understanding of the algal blooms occurring in the lake and as a growing threat to Lake Tahoe’s ecosystem. This is occurring due to warming weather temperatures and changing water levels. Public funding is scarce and private funding must be at the forefront of this cause. Additionally, advocacy and awareness are integral to this cause as well! According to this year’s research release, the lake’s clarity depth is now 68.2 feet as of 2023, compared to 71.9 feet in 2022. This is a pressing environmental cause, especially related to the summer due to warming temperatures (many people go and visit the lake to escape their lower elevation home temperatures, so it’s especially important to be mindful when visiting).
The work of the League is to focus on tackling invasive species, combatting pollution, and advancing lake restoration. Also, the League is combatting any sort of expansion or industrialization in the Tahoe Basin region which could negatively impact the lake’s overall health and clarity. In addition to that, the League also promotes best practices to respect the lake while visiting. We are certainly in a global environmental crisis where the weather forecast is not simply the weather forecast any longer, and I think it behooves all of us to become more prescient and aware of organizations such as this one. The League has already been institutionally known for spreading environmental awareness and encouraging citizens to get involved! While Tahoe is known for being a seasonal getaway for many, and the reasons why people visit are numerous, from snow sports to enjoying the lake’s beauty, Lake Tahoe’s clarity remains in danger and should continue to be protected by groups such as these. You can make a difference, too. Please help by donating and volunteering, and be sure to care for the lake if you visit.
If you plan to visit the lake anytime soon, please be aware and practice the following:
- Keep the beach clean
- Throw away all trash (even if it’s not yours and put in a trashcan or dumpster)
- Collect food scraps
- Carpool
- Take public transportation
Remember, we all want to Keep Tahoe Blue. The second deepest lake in the United States, this lake is visited by millions of visitors per year, but with the right effort and care taken by its many visitors, the lake can continue to stay pristine and beautiful!
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