Recent rain and snowstorms have delivered a massive amount of water into the Lake Tahoe Basin, and while the lake itself is rising, most of that water is flowing across the forests, meadows, and neighborhoods that surround it.
According to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, since Feb. 15, rain and snow have added an estimated 16 billion gallons of water to Lake Tahoe, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. While the lake spans roughly 190 square miles, only about 35 percent of that water falls directly on the lake's surface. Most precipitation falls across the surrounding 310 square mile watershed of forests, meadows, streams, and neighborhoods that drains into the lake.
The intensity of recent storms and the visible dirt and sediment on roads highlight why stormwater management and water flow restoration projects are critical to protecting Lake Tahoe. Homeowners contribute by installing and maintaining Best Management Practices, while Team Tahoe partners through the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program implement larger solutions across the basin.
These efforts include stormwater infrastructure and the restoration of meadows and Stream Environment Zones. These projects help slow runoff, filter pollutants, and restore the natural processes that clean water before it reaches the lake.
