What runs deeper than Lake Tahoe? Our desire to preserve it.
Historical data shows that Lake Tahoe’s average surface water temperature in July is 64.9ºF. Today, the lake is 64.1º, coming in just below that average. Tahoe’s famed clarity allows us to look deep. But be cautious, 18 inches below the surface maintains an average summer temperature of about 53º.
Today’s water level is 6,227.70 feet, making the Lake more than a foot lower than last year’s measurement of 6,229.03 feet at this time. With this lower lake level, the beaches are a little bigger giving us all the chance to practice social distancing while enjoying summer lake days.
This week we’re getting a look inside the Marlette Lake Fish Hatchery, thanks to our friends at the Nevada Department of Wildlife. In this short video, fish biologist Chris Crookshanks will teach us about the hatchery, spawning station and how they catch the fish. You’ll even learn why the Lahontan Cutthroat trout gets its name.
Click on the video below to watch.
Father’s Day is upon us. So what’s a better present to give Dad than the gift of an inscribed bear, trout, or his name on the donor wall of the East Shore Trail? It’s not too late to order yours. A new donor wall and bear plaques are being put in at Hidden Beach, along with more trout along the scenic bridge. Click here or on the picture below to find out more!
Ever noticed lakes throughout the Tahoe area are similar looking? Thousands of years ago, the world went through glacial periods in which ice plowed down from the mountain tops above and created many of the lakes we love today.
Here is some more information on the formation of three bodies of water formed by glaciers.
Fallen Leaf Lake is the product of not one, but two glaciers colliding and traveling north down the Glen Alpine Valley and finally coming to a stop before reaching Lake Tahoe. On the northeastern side of the lake a terminal moraine can be seen. Moraines are large deposits of rocks and debris carried down by the glacier. In this case, the moraine signifies the end of the glacier, acting as a natural dam.[1][5]
Emerald Bay was formed during the last glacial episode which started about 110,000 years ago and ended about 15,000 years ago.[2] The four-mile-long glacier that contributed to the Emerald Bay formation started on the north slopes of Dicks peak and pushed its way down Eagle Creek moving towards the lake until the two met.[2] When the glacier entered the lake it began to melt, leaving the debris along the lake’s shore creating lateral moraines on the north and south sides and leaving a recessional moraine at the mouth of the bay.
Thousands of years ago, a large glacier flowed down the Eastern Slope of Donner Pass carving a path along a rock fault.[3] As the glacier eventually retreated, it left two lateral moraines on the sides and a terminal moraine of large rocks, gravel and loose soil that blocked the creek resulting in the formation of Donner Lake.[4] For this reason, Donner lake is classified as a moraine-dammed lake. These long, finger-shaped lakes are also referred to as ribbon lakes, which you can see clearly from the pictures of Donner and Fallen Leaf Lake.
Sources:
[1]: “National Snow and Ice Data Center.” All About Glaciers | National Snow and Ice Data Center, 16 Mar. 2020, nsidc.org/cryosphere/glaciers/.
[2]: Fuller, M, et al. “Emerald Bay State Park: National Natural Landmark 1969.” California Parks, California Geological Survey, Department of Conservation, 2015, www.parks.ca.gov/pages/734/files/GeoGem%20Note%2034%20Emerald%20Bay%20State%20Park.pdf.
[3]: “Docent Manual Chapter 5 – AdditionalResources .” Tahoe UC Davis, UC Davis, 2016, tahoe.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk4286/files/inline-files/Docent%20Manual%20Chapter%205%20-%20AdditionalResources.pdf.
[4]: “History & Natural History – Donner Memorial State Park.” Sierra State Parks Foundation, sierrastateparks.org/donner-memorial-state-park/history-natural-history/.
[5]: Fallen Leaf Lake
