A Tahoe nonprofit is preparing for its most ambitious lake cleanup to date, sending divers deeper than ever to tackle debris along the full 72-mile shoreline.
Clean Up The Lake, known for its environmental dive team and SCUBA cleanups, is launching the 72-Mile Deep Clean of Lake Tahoe.
The project follows a previous 72-mile cleanup in shallower waters from zero to 25 feet, which began in 2022.
The latest phase will extend cleanup efforts to 35–55 feet, requiring new technology, including diver propulsion vehicles and Nitrox gas to increase efficiency and allow divers to work up to 30 feet deeper than before.
The effort takes place at 6,200 feet above sea level, presenting technical challenges not encountered in the initial cleanup.
“This project represents our largest and most ambitious environmental initiative to date,” West said.
The initiative has been in planning since 2022 and builds on CUTL’s prior work to protect the lake, now focusing on deeper areas that have been more difficult to access.
Volunteers, project partners, and the nonprofit’s operations team will participate in the dives, which will utilize advanced equipment to expand bottom time and coverage.
