The group Clean Up The Lake has reached a huge milestone in its 72 Mile underwater clean up effort at Lake Tahoe. Since taking the plunge, scuba divers swimming through water to to collect trash covered more than 43 miles since the project launched in May. Colin West the founder of the group said it's been an extraordinary experience as they faced uncharted waters.
"The summer, no one was expecting the Caldor fire. It felt like another mini pandemic that was isolated to Tahoe. And that was challenging, it definitely set us back about five or so weeks, with evacuations and wildfire smoke being unhealthy air quality for volunteers." he said.
As they try to reach their goal by next year with just over 28 miles to go, divers expect challenges ahead.
West said, "We're facing winter weather which makes it challenging, but there's a saying it doesn't matter how cold the water is, it just matters how cold you are down there. So we're making sure we have the proper safety equipment and exposure suits to clean up the lake."
In the last six months, divers recovered about 21,091 pieces of trash, bringing the total weight removed to 18,215 pounds.
The project was made possible by a $100,000 donation from Tahoe Blue Vodka, 135 Tahoe Fund donors, and other grant giving foundations.
The owner of Tahoe Blue Vodka, Matt Levitt said, "Every day we remove something like a truck load of trash out of the lake and it feels great to see the difference, to see that we're moving the needle and see that we're seeing such immediate, tangibil, and measurable results."
They've found thousands of broken bottles and cans, and hundreds of tires. Other more unusual objects have been found too, including an engagement ring, ear pods, and someone's ID.
West said, "It's always interesting seeing unique items we get to pull out and I think part of the reason diving is fun is because it's always kind of like a treasure hunt, even though for us the trash is kind of like our treasure.
The items will even be used for research that could help prevent litter problems in the future. Clean Up The Lake has partnered with organizations and scientists that sort the found objects. There are about 83 different categories divvied up by the type of material, including plastic metal, and rubber. Researchers also determine the source.
"With that information we can actually look and say where are the cans being concentrated and then what can we do so we can educate the public, our visitors so that they're not throwing those cans into the direct environment, into the water." said Zoe Harrold an environmental scientist and Grant Writer working with Clean Up The Lake. "
She said 50 percent of the trash removed from the Nevada side of Tahoe was concentrated in 19 specific locations out of 94.
"That's showing us that there are hot spots where this litter is accumulating. It might be from direct input from recreaters on the beach, or boat goers." She added, " "Really be cognoscente of if you're out there on Lake Tahoe, make sure the trash is going in the right place, in the trashcan and you're packing it out so it doesn't continue to junk up our lake bed."
About Tahoe Fund
The Tahoe Fund was founded in 2010 to work with the private community to support environmental improvement projects that restore lake clarity, enhance outdoor recreation, promote healthier forests, improve transportation and inspire greater stewardship of the region. Through the generous support of private donors, the Tahoe Fund has leveraged more than $3 million in private funds to secure more than $50 million in public funds for more than 40 environmental projects. The projects include new sections of the Lake Tahoe Bike way, restoration of watersheds, removal of aquatic invasive species, forest health projects, public beach improvements, and stewardship programs. Learn more at www.tahoefund.org.
About Tahoe Blue Vodka
Founded in 2012 by Matt Levitt, Tahoe Blue Vodka is inspired by and crafted with Lake Tahoe sourced water. Using a unique 3-vodka blend of grapes, corn and sugarcane, this expertly crafted spirit is gluten-free and known for its clean, crisp taste and smooth finish, giving consumers a taste of the Tahoe lifestyle year-round. Originally sold out of the back of Levitt’s car, the brand is now the fastest-growing vodka brand in California. Since its conception, the brand has won numerous spirit competition awards including a Gold Award in the SUNSET 2021 Inaugural Spirit Awards Program, a Double Gold Medal in the "Best Domestic Vodka" category by The Fifty Best in 2020 and a 2020 SUNSET International Spirits Competition Gold Award. Through its parent company, Tahoe Spirits, Inc., Tahoe Blue Vodka has already donated over $200K of its proceeds to organizations that work to protect Lake Tahoe and its surrounding environment. For more information, visit www.tahoebluevodka.com.
About Clean Up The Lake
Clean Up The Lake is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to fight back against plastic and all forms of pollution in the global environment, both on land and under the surface, starting with Lake Tahoe and the Cayes in Belize. Our flagship project, the 72 mile clean up, is the first ever man powered circumnavigation of Lake Tahoe using SCUBA. This project will be accompanied by a large-scale trash clean-up of every inch of the 72-mile sub-surface shoreline. In addition to our presenting sponsor Tahoe Blue Vodka working with Tahoe Fund, Vail Resorts, NDSL Lake Tahoe License Plate Program, additional grant funding agencies for this project included Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation in association with Martis Fund, Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation and American Century Championship. Learn more and donate to our other causes at cleanupthelake.org.
About Nevada Division of State Lands/Tahoe License Plates
Administered by the Nevada Division of State Lands through the Nevada Tahoe Resource Team, since 1998, Nevada Lake Tahoe License Plate (NV-LTLP) sales and annual renewal fees have been invested in projects that help protect, restore, and enhance Lake Tahoe's unique natural environment. Projects funded directly through the NV-LTLP program range from water quality initiatives and state park improvements, to research and monitoring studies, invasive species surveys and removal, climate change research, and public education efforts. To date, the NV-LTLP program has generated over $9 million, funding over 165 preservation and restoration projects on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. All Nevadans can help preserve and protect Lake Tahoe by purchasing a Lake Tahoe license plate for $61 with an annual renewal fee of $30. Learn more: lands.nv.gov/TahoePlate
