flooding

Column: 2020 fire year highlights importance of forest health

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The new Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Deputy Forest Supervisor Danelle D. Harrison is our guest columnist and looks back, and ahead, to the health of Lake Tahoe

Looking Back

December is a special time of year when our thoughts turn to family and friends, and communities come together to celebrate the season. It also marks the end of the year. And what a year it was. Together, we experienced unprecedented events including a record-breaking wildland fire year in the Pacific Southwest Region.

Restoration nearing completion, public soon able to access old Tahoe Pines campground

The unique and valuable habitat of the Upper Truckee in Meyers has been preserved through another California Tahoe Conservancy project at the site of the old Tahoe Pines Campground. The project opens public access to the river and will feature a picnic table or two, bike racks and informational kiosk.

Group rallies to ask for respect from tourists when visiting Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe is the vacation destination for millions of people annually, but recent behaviors of many of the tourists have the residents on edge. Trash is being left behind on beaches, trails and picnic areas, overflowing trash containers are shown daily on social media pages, stores are packed and roads are crowded, all during a pandemic while travel orders are still in place for the California.

With international travel at a standstill many are keeping their vacationing during the coronavirus to locations near their homes, and Lake Tahoe is one of those spots.

USFS cancels all activities at Taylor Creek Visitor Center through October

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After much discussion and deliberation, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has made the difficult decision to cancel planned interpretive programs and visitor services at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center through the end of October, including second- and third-grade conservation education field trips. In addition, they have made the decision to cancel the Fall Fish Festival this year, an event that typically draws up to 12,000 visitors over the weekend.

Lane closures over Spooner Summit for NDOT roadside drainage project

Single lane closures will take place on U.S. 50 between Carson City and Spooner Summit beginning July 30 as the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) wraps up a project to reduce roadside erosion and help preserve water quality.

Between July 30 and Aug. 7, drivers will see single lane closures from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekdays on both directions of U.S. 50 in areas between Tahoe Golf Club Drive and Spooner Summit.

Sign up for July 25 Tahoe Forest Stewardship Day- Summer

A few spots are left in the this summer's Tahoe Forest Stewardship Day on Saturday, July 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join the League to Save Lake Tahoe for a small, RSVP only and physically distanced restoration event. The deadline to sign up is coming quickly - 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24.

By pitching in, you are improving ecosystem health and the wildlife habitats that surround Lake Tahoe. Healthy forests and meadows act as natural pollution filters to Keep Tahoe Blue.

Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are invited to this fun, hands-on restoration day.

South Lake Tahoe forecast: Chance of thunderstorms daily to start off the week

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Showers and thunderstorms will develop each afternoon and evening into at least the middle of next week according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno. Winds will remain light except for afternoon zephyr breezes and the occasional outflow winds from thunderstorms. Any strong storms that develop can produce outflow winds over 40 mph, heavy rain, and hail. If heavy rain lingers over steep terrain or a recently burned slope, some flash flooding and/or debris flows can occur.

The forecast from NWS Reno:

Public meeting on Bijou Park Creek Watershed Restoration Project

Event Date: 
June 24, 2020 - 2:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be a public presentation from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24 on the Bijou Park Creek Watershed Restoration Project.

The project is three phases, the first beginning with the removal of the Knight's Inn and addressing flooding issues in that area. The objectives of the complete project are to improve stormwater quality, decrease flooding, restore the Bijou Park Creek SEZ (stream environmental zone), and to install a series of stormwater quality and flood control improvements.

Column: Anxiety is not a myth

Accelerated heart rate and breathing, possible upset stomach, worry and dread, all sensations that a person may have when experiencing some anxiety. Whether you are presenting in front of a group of people or interviewing for a job, our immune system kickstarts our fight-or-flight response by flooding our nervous system with hormones and chemicals that help us deal with high stress or intense situations. However, imagine experiencing these symptoms on a constant basis, not permitting your body to return to a normal level of functioning.

Old Tahoe Pines Campground restoration to include picnic area, parking and trails

MEYERS, Calif. - An old campground at the base of Echo Summit in Meyers is undergoing a major transformation that will not only create new wetlands and restore habitat along the Upper Truckee River, it will also create public access.

Work gets underway this week at the old Tahoe Pines Campground on a $1.63M project that will include new accessible-to-all trails, bridge and parking lot, and other features along the river which is Lake Tahoe's largest tributary.

South Lake Tahoe forecast: Mostly sunny days with above normal temps to start the week

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - High pressure will dominate and bring above normal temperatures through Wednesday. Rivers and streams will run faster as snow melts, but no flooding is expected. A low-pressure system will usher in breezy and cooler conditions for the last part of the week with an increasing potential for showers by Sunday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

Conservancy receives $2.98M to help restore Upper Truckee Marsh

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) has been awarded a large piece of funding to help its $10.6 million project to restore the 500 acre Upper Truckee River Marsh.

CTC was awarded $2.98M by the California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) to help with the project at the marsh, the largest wetland in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

NOAA - Absence of El Nino and La Nina this winter; Drier and warmer than normal

There are many things that help those living in Lake Tahoe predict what winter will be like: Has the snow in the cross of Mt. Tallac melted? What does the Farmer's Almanac say? Are the squirrels fatter? Is NOAA going to be right in their three-month forecast?

There is no app to give one the perfect insight into what winter has in store and most weather can only be predicted a week out. For generations, people have relied on signs from Mother Nature.

New bike lanes, bike trail and reduced lanes in upcoming South Lake Tahoe project

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After three years of a major highway project through South Lake Tahoe from the Y to Trout Creek, a 2021 planned project will further address needs in South Lake Tahoe from Emerald Bay Road at the Y to Viking Road, the entrance to South Tahoe High School.

New channels planned for the Upper Truckee River in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Tahoe Conservancy had originally planned to get work started on their $9 million, multi-stage Upper Truckee River project to restore and enhance over 500 acres of floodplain this fall, but that has been postponed until 2020.

WNC lecture - Climate Change: Lake Tahoe and Northern Nevada Threats and Opportunities

Event Date: 
June 27, 2019 - 5:30pm

Learn about all of the impacts from droughts, flooding, fires and warming temperatures on Lake Tahoe and the regional economy during the “Climate Change: Lake Tahoe and Northern Nevada Threats and Opportunities” presentation on Thursday, June 27 at Western Nevada College in Carson City.

The free presentation will take place in Reynolds Center for Technology Room 103 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Access the Reynolds Center parking lot from Combs Canyon Road.

Warmer temps ahead for South Lake Tahoe; Rapid melting of snowpact expected

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Temperatures will become very warm with highs near 80s in Lake Tahoe and above 90 degrees for most lower elevations Monday through Wednesday. Dry conditions are expected through Tuesday, then isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms will be possible from Wednesday through next weekend.

USFS Taylor Creek Stream Profile Chamber: Grand reopening June 7

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The popular Stream Profile Chamber at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center has been closed since the glass broke during a routine cleaning almost one year ago. With financial help from the Tahoe Fund and Tahoe Blue Vodka, those walking the Rainbow Trail will once again be able to get an up-close underwater view of aquatic life and the spawning Kokanee salmon at Lake Tahoe each year.

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is holding a grand reopening celebration of the chamber with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon on Friday, June 7.

South Lake Tahoe weather: Rain and snow in the 10-day forecast

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Enjoy your last day of sunshine for a while as a strong, wet and cold weather system heads to California and Lake Tahoe. The 10-day forecast has rain and snow in South Lake Tahoe each day. Have weekend outdoor plans? You may want to have a backup plan in place.

Amgen Tour of California picked the right weekend to start in Northern California. As the race moves south, the storm systems move in.

Two-year long NDOT US50 Spooner Summer project to begin this week

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) will begin a two-year long storm drainage project to help preserve water quality and reduce erosion on US 50 between Carson City and Spooner Summit on Thursday, April 25.

Douglas County teams removing debris from river channels ahead of spring flooding

With warming temperatures and melting snow, Douglas County is reminding residents of the potential for some minor spring flooding in the months to come. With the spring run-off, citizens could expect to see some road closures on arterial roads such as Mottsville, Centerville Lane, Muller Lane and Genoa Lane.

In preparation for flooding, the Douglas County Stormwater Division has been removing flood debris in river channels with the Carson Valley Conservation District, Carson Water Subconservancy and Nevada Division of Water Resources.

Sierra snowpack at 200% of average

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Under a misty rain, the fourth, and perhaps final, measurement of the snowpack in Philips, California for 2019 is complete, and it's good news from the Department of Water Resources (DWR).

Their manual survey recorded 106.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 51 inches, which is 200 percent of average for the Phillips location outside Sierra-at-Tahoe.

Statewide, the Sierra Nevada snowpack is 162 percent of average.

Conservancy approves City's purchase of Bijou Park Creek watershed lot

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) Board has approved the City of South Lake Tahoe's proposal to purchase an ecologically important parcel on Rockwood Drive as part of its broader plans to restore the Bijou Park Creek watershed.

Bart's Tahoe Apartments fail inspection, City Attorney to evaluate next steps

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Back in December 2018 the owners of Bart's Tahoe Apartments were issued a formal Notice and Order to repair and abate by the City of South Lake Tahoe. As a result of ongoing issues and a lack of willingness to fix the problems, they were 90 days to address a long list of safety issues and code violations.

Those 90 days were up on Friday, March 22, 2019, and City building inspectors and development services staff conducted an inspection and found the apartment building at 1224 Ski Run Boulevard continues to have unsafe living conditions.

Column: Fees benefit water quality and trails

While it still feels like winter, with a healthy snowpack and ski resorts reporting record monthly snowfall in February, another building season is fast approaching. One of the questions people ask the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency each year is why they have to pay mitigation fees for their development, like new homes and remodeling projects.

Forecast: Rain and snow heading back to Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After a long awaited break in a stormy weather pattern, unsettled weather returns to the Sierra this week. A storm will impact the region starting as early as Tuesday night, with the heaviest precipitation on Wednesday. Snow levels with this storm will hover above 6500 feet until Wednesday night when

How full is Lake Tahoe?

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Sierra Nevada has seen epic amounts of snowfall this winter and recent measurements at both Phillips and Mt. Rose show water content of the snowpack well above normal.

Lake Tahoe ski, snowboard, road and weather news - Mountain Resort Report©

More Fresh Snow has fallen in the upper elevations… Get Out on the Mountain today! Winter Storm Watch posted for Tuesday thru Wednesday… 1-3 Feet possible… Wear your Gore-Tex jacket today… Ski/Ride with a Buddy if you go off-piste… Powder & Machine Groomed Pack Powder… North Lake Tahoe SnowFest continues today thru March 10… Ski & Ride with Care & Be Safe!

TODAY’S WEATHER: Expect Partly Cloudy Skies with a slight chance of snow showers in the morning. Patchy Fog in the Morning. Highs: 37F-47F. (27F-37F on the slopes). Southwest Winds 10-15 mph.

Flood Advisory in place for most area counties

A Flood Advisory has been issued for Alpine County, Placer County, El Dorado County, Sierra County, Nevada County, Southern Washoe County, Douglas County, and Western Carson City. It will remain in effect until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday.

Lake Tahoe ski, snowboard, road and weather news - Mountain Resort Report©

Good Morning Lake Tahoe Skiers & Riders…

Just returning from my annual road trip… My Road Trip to ReHab… I skied 10 different resorts in Utah & Colorado, while Lake Tahoe Got Hammered with big snows… Great to be back! Fresh Snow reported at all resorts, but Winter Strom Warning in effect thru 10 pm Thursday. Lifts are on Hold at many resorts. Call ahead…

Sandbags available for area residents at several locations

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Douglas County and the City of South Lake Tahoe are urging residents to prepare for the possibility of flooding and high winds as a storm with high winds and heavy rain enters the region.

Douglas County has sandbags available at nine locations and urges residents to assemble them on their property if there is a chance of flooding. Sandbag locations can are self-fill and the current locations are:

Zephyr Cove Park, Warrior Way - Sand is located in the upper parking lot

Free sandbags available for South Lake Tahoe residents

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With rain falling on top of Tuesday's snow and ahead of a predicted snowstorm Thursday morning bringing concerns of flooding, the City of South Lake Tahoe is offering free sandbags to residents.

There are two locations to pick up the bags:

• City Public Works Yard, 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd.
• Fire Station 3, 2101 Lake Tahoe Blvd. (In the back off James)

The City supplies the sand and the bags, but residents will need to fill their own bags and transport them back home. Bring a shovel if possible though there are some provided for use at the sandpile.

Portions of Bijou Marketplace in South Lake Tahoe for sale

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is already international interest in two buildings at the nearly completed Bijou Marketplace in South Lake Tahoe after being listed for sale just over a week ago.

Column: Collaboration key to new Tahoe challenges

Warming temperatures pose major challenges for Lake Tahoe's environment, communities, and the outdoor recreation that drives its economy. Research by University of California, Davis's Tahoe Environmental Research Center, University of Nevada, Reno, and Desert Research Institute clearly shows Lake Tahoe is warming.

Meet the Candidate: Hal Cole says his experience and calm leadership will guide City

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Each of the nine candidates for City Council answered the same ten questions that were given to them by South Tahoe Now. For nine consecutive days the candidate's responses will be shared in the order received.

Today, Hal Cole gives his responses as he attempts to return to the South Lake Tahoe City Council:

Five boaters near Kings Beach rescued after boat takes on water

The Coast Guard and Placer County Marine unit crews rescued five boaters whose 45-foot recreational vessel was taking on water near King's Beach in Lake Tahoe on Sunday, September 2, 2018.

The captain of the recreational vessel issued a distress call via VHF FM channel 16 around 9:30 p.m., reporting his boat was taking on water.

League to Save Lake Tahoe backs Upper Truckee River Project at Lake Tahoe Golf Course

The following is a comment in support of Preferred Alternative 2B of the Upper Truckee River Restoration and Golf Course Reconfiguration Project submitted by the League to Save Lake Tahoe to California State Parks:

Flash flood warning in place for Douglas and Mono Counties

Thunderstorms are developing early this afternoon in Mono, Mineral and southern Lyon counties and heading towards Douglas County and Reno. Storms are expected to become stronger through the afternoon as they spread north.

Nickel size hail, frequent lightning, and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these storms. Localized flash flooding will also be possible, especially in steep terrain and over wildfire burn scars.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for July 20 from 2:18 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Smoke continues to fill Lake Tahoe Basin: Chance of rain in forecast

The Feguson fire burning west of Yosemite continues to send smoke into the Lake Tahoe Basin. Since starting on July 13, the fire has consumed 22,892 acres and containment remains at 7 percent. It is burning in steep, hard to access terrain.

Several areas around Highway 140 reamin under mandatory evacuations and evacuation advisories.

2,711 personnel, including firefighters from South Lake Tahoe, are currently engaged on the fire which includes 203 engines, 39 water tenders, 16 helicopters, 58 handcrews, and 41 dozers.

Smoke from the fire is expected for at least the next two days.

Washoe Lake Dam on a breach watch; flood precautions in place

After a routine inspection of the Washoe Lake Dam Monday it was determined that the dam was in danger of potentially breaching. Experts arrived on site and conducted an analysis mitigation for the last several hours. Due to this examination, the Washoe Lake Dam threat has been downgraded from imminent threat to a watch.

If the dam breached, the Steamboat Creek and Steamboat Ditch areas would be flooded. Due to this threat, residents were asked in these and surrounding areas, to be prepared to evacuate when notified.

Holiday weekend forecast: Winter weather advisory, rain and possible flooding

Mother Nature must not want South Lake Tahoe to enjoy summer, quite yet. After a day of and night of thunder, lightning and rain, more is in the forecast.

There is a Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning, calling for snow above 8000 feet. 1-3" of snow with isolated areas seeing up to 6". Areas affected are Mt Rose, Carson, Ebbetts, Sonora and Tioga passes and high elevation hiking trails around the Lake Tahoe area, Alpine County and Mono County.

Guest Columnist: Be Prepared for Wildfire at Lake Tahoe

Both California and Nevada suffered destructive wildfires last year. Nevada saw 768 fires burn more than 1.3 million acres. California experienced the deadliest, largest, and most destructive wildfires in its history. Just a few hours-drive from Tahoe, more than 40 people died and thousands of homes were destroyed in the wine country and North Bay last October. In Southern California, the Thomas Fire ravaged communities and forest lands last December with damaging flooding and landslides piled on after the fire subsided.

Conservancy grants funds to City for purchase of homes in Bijou Park Creek watershed

Two more properties in the Bijou Park Creek flood zone will be acquired by the City of South Lake Tahoe thanks to a $793,991 grant awarded by the California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) this week.

This makes three properties that the City will purchase from willing property owners with grant funds provided through Proposition 1 and Proposition 50 funds authorized by the CTC. The two this week, oft-flooded and located at 3593 Shirley Avenue and 3590 Bill Avenue in South Lake Tahoe will join the parcel at 3747 Woodbine Road which was authorized to be purchased in September 2017.

Building issues force LTVA out of their South Lake Tahoe office

The California office of Lake Tahoe Visitor's Authority (LTVA) has been closed due to roof and flooding issues, with all of their operations in their Stateline office, for now.

Last year's flooding caused LTVA to rip out the carpet in the back of the building which was the first county jail at the lake, opening in 1947. Three staff executives who had their offices at the rear of the building were moved to the front.

Lake Tahoe almost full, Upper Truckee River above flood stage

The rain in the Sierra Thursday and Friday melted snow, sending the water down into rivers and the lake faster than normal. While the Upper Truckee River in South Lake Tahoe is over the banks and flooding the meadow, Lake Tahoe got closer to full.

The Upper Truckee is moving at 1960 cubic feet per minute, much faster than the 112 feet per minute just a week ago. It is also just over 11 feet in height, a few inches above the flood stage per NOAA-NWS.

Lake Tahoe measured at 6228.7 ft above sea level on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. The legal limit is 6229.1, the natural rim is 6223 ft.

Free sandbags are available for residents ahead of wet storm

There is a very warm, wet storm heading to Lake Tahoe, the Sierra and western Nevada, bringing with is gusty winds and significant rains beginning Friday and continuing through Saturday. There is a flood watch in effect from Friday, April 6, 05:00 p.m. until Sunday, April 8 at 5:00 a.m. The main concern is the potential for flooding along creeks, streams, rivers and in urban areas.

Snow levels may rise as high as 11000 feet, keeping the bulk of the precipitation in the form of rain. Rainfall totals between 2 to 4 inches are expected along the

Change in weather ahead for Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Just as many were enjoying sunny skies and temps in the 50s and 60s, Mother Nature is sending a bit of change to the area this week.

Coming in from the west is a significant storm with gusty winds and heavy rains Friday through Sunday. The storm is a warm and wet one so there will be the potential for flooding along creeks, streams and rivers.

Monday will be back in the mid-50s.

From the National Weather Service in Reno:

Column: Funds needed to make fire response proactive instead of reactive

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Last October, California experienced a series of devastating wildfires that destroyed property and took lives. In a four month period the State endured fires and floods from San Diego to Mendocino that destroyed over 11,000 homes and commercial structures and killed 64 Californians. Local Government fire and rescue personnel and equipment comprised up to 80 percent available resources for mutual aid throughout the State. The City of South Lake Tahoe Fire Department along with other fire agencies around the basin engaged in these critical fire fights.

Two homes deal with flooding in South Lake Tahoe

Two houses on Bill Avenue in South Lake Tahoe had to deal with flooding Thursday, March 22.

One home had flooding inside while the second home had flooding occur in their driveway.

Public Works staff are trained to assess scenarios and prioritize disaster mitigation. In today’s instance, the home with the flooding inside of the home was given the highest priority. Once mitigation measures were contained, Public Works staff were able to then focus relief efforts on the residence with the flooding in the driveway.

Nevada bridges ranked #1 in country for 5th straight year

The Nevada Department of Transportation’s dedicated bridge inspection and rehabilitation program has helped Nevada bridges to be named the nation’s best for the fifth consecutive year.

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