10 Ways You Can Save Lake Tahoe

By John Coburn and Heather Segale

Reprinted from the Tahoe World, Thursday, April 7, 2005

Many state, federal and local agencies are spending millions of dollars to prevent Lake Tahoe from losing its remarkable water clarity.  There are some simple things you can do to help.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has a list of 25 ways to save Lake Tahoe.  Julie Regan, communication director for TRPA has condensed this list to the top 10 things you can do to help protect the Lake.  They are:

1.  Install BMPs

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are ways to control the runoff from your property and they are required for all properties in the Tahoe basin.  The BMPs best suited for you depend on your property. Examples of BMPs include installing trenches to infiltrate roof and driveway runoff, paying you driveway and covering bare soil with plants and mulch.  To find out which BMPs will work for your property, contact TRPA or your conservation district for information about a free BMP evaluation.

2.  Keep it Simple

Dont disturb native vegetation any more than you have to.  Preservation of existing plants and the soils duff layer are two of the best ways to prevent further loss of water quality in Lake Tahoe.

3.  Use Native and Adapted Plants when Landscaping

It is important to make the right decisions abut landscaping and gardening.  You should try to use mostly native or adapted plants because they require less irrigation, fertilizer and pesticides.  The goal is to have healthy plants with roots that hold topsoil in place.  Good planning will result in landscaping that useful, attractive and good for the environment.

4.  Pave Your Driveway

Paving isnt always bad.  Sediment form even the most compacted dirt driveway washes into the nearest storm drain, and then into Lake Tahoe during a rainfall or when snow melts.  Paving your driveway also reduces the amount of dust in the air during the summer months, another factor contributing to the decline of Lake Tahoes water quality.

5.  Replace Old Wood Stoves

Wood smoke contributes to air quality problems at Lake Tahoe.  If you have an old wood stove, look into purchasing a newer, EPA-certified stove or fireplace insert.  These typically use half the work to generate the same amount of heat as an old stove, so youll save money and help the environment.

6.  Protect Wetlands

Many residential areas have stream environment zones (SEZs) meandering through them.  While SEZs dont necessarily have a stream or creek running through them, they are highly fragile areas that are extremely important in preserving water quality and fish and wildlife habitat.  SEZs are typically located in low-lying areas with spongy soil, especially in spring, and support deciduous trees. 

7.  Minimize Trips in Your Car

Reducing the number of trips you take in your car helps to reserve air quality and reduce traffic congestion.  Excessive automobile use degrades air quality in the basin and contributes to the decline in Tahoes clarity.

8.  Stay on Designated Trails

Erosion from dirt roads and trails presents a serious water quality challenge.  Its important to tread lightly and stay on designated trails in order to minimize trail erosion.

9.  Motor Boat Education

In an effort to preserve Lake Tahoes famed water clarity and quality, carbureted, two stroke engines powering boats and personal watercraft are banned from the lake.  Only cleaner, direct fuel-injected two-stroke engines are allowed.  Four-stroke engines are also allowed.  There is also a 600 foot no-wake zone around the shoreline of Lake Tahoe to minimize shoreline erosion and the noise impacts on residents, visitors and wildlife.  Within this zone, speeds are limited to 5 miles per hour.

10.  Get Involved

Everyone has a role in helping to preserve Lake Tahoe.  Contact TRPA (775) 588-4547, ext. 235 to find out more upcoming events and opportunities where you can help. 

John Coburn is a Water Resource Specialist with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, and Heather Segale is the Public Information Representative for the Tahoe Environmental Research Center-UC Davis.