natural

A major restoration project of the Upper Truckee River channel and surrounding meadows is about to be completed, three years and $7 million later. Known as Reach 5, the U.S. Forest Service project is improving the river channel stability and aquatic habitat along 1.2 miles of the river adjacent to the Lake Tahoe Airport.

Another goal of the project is to restore surface and subsurface channel connectivity to 120 acres of floodplain, increasing deposition of fine sediments and nutrient uptake on the floodplains as well as raising the ground water levels in the meadow.

An old, blue building on the corner of Highway 50 and Sawmill Road adjacent to the Upper Truckee River is being demolished, and the sensitive land it sits on will be restored to natural wetlands.

The building is near the site of the historic Ethel's Pie Shop.

The 1.05 acre parcel was acquired by the California Tahoe Conservancy under its Tahoe Livable Communities Program in December 2015.

On April 9, 2016, Lake Tahoe reached its natural rim for the first time in ten months after a wet winter gave much needed water to the lake. Since then the melting snowpack was enough to keep water levels above its natural rim, that is, until today.

The natural rim is 6,223 feet.

There is 20-50 percent chance of rain in the area through Wednesday, but rainfall amounts aren't forecast to be measurable.

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. – Travelers going through the Cave Rock area of Lake Tahoe should anticipate minor delays as construction crews enter the final phase of construction on a $6 million safety project. There will be work zone traffic pattern changes as both lanes of the roadway are repaved, spraying of concrete continues as well as other final tasks. The project is expected to be completed by October.

Dear Hopeful,

I know you're of the canine set, but I need some hints and tips to share with my feline friends.

Signed,
Meowwww

Dear Meowww,

Of course, always love to help friends of ALL animals! Here are my TOP TEN useful, and surprising cat tips:

Cats Dig Running Water

Protecting Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada is the job of many stakeholders. Its not just a local job, not just a California job, not just a Nevada job, not just a national job, and as witnessed through President Obama's visit to the Lake Tahoe Summit Wednesday, it can only be successful through partnerships of all of those entities along with agencies, local and private investment.

On Tuesday, August 29, the day before the Summit, California Senator Diane Feinstein hosted a lunch for local officials, agencies and federal counterparts, described as the "Lake Tahoe Stakeholders Luncheon".

Nevada Senator Harry Reid will host President Obama, California Governor Jerry Brown and California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer at the 20th annual Lake Tahoe Summit on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at Harvey's Outdoor Arena. Nevada’s homegrown band, the Killers, will also take the stage for a special performance.

The time for the summit has changed to 1:30 p.m. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. Those attending can expect heavy traffic and road closures.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue and other area fire departments have responded to several illegal cooking fires in homeless encampments this summer, some which have spread to burn up to several hundred feet.

The cause of the July 19 fires behind the power station by the Heavenly Gondola and in the Trout Creek area behind Ross are still under investigation, but sources have said they were both most likely started by illegal campfires. Fire crews also responded to transient camp fires on July 27 and August 8 as well as several illegal cooking fires.

Roger Rosenberger, wildflower photographer extraordinaire, returns to share the current season of wildflowers in vivid photographs and impart advise on how to take your own breathtaking images. This year promises to be amazing. Joining Roger will be Julie Carville, launching her newest book, "Tahoe’s Spectacular Wildflower Trails". This helpful book will guide you along Tahoe’s trails and deeply into the wonders and stories of Sierra plants. Clear trail descriptions and rich natural history will open a world of discovery. An essential trail companion for naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts.

Location

Four separate fires are burning north of Reno, sending smoke throughout Northern Nevada and the Lake Tahoe basin.

The Virginia Mountains Complex is made up currently of four separate wildland fires, including the Anderson (5626 acres), Sage (4239 acres), Seven Lakes (3063 acres) and Tule (7267 acres) Fires. All of these lightning-caused fires are burning within about 20-miles of each other in an arc about 35-miles north of Reno.

The vast majority of the public lands burning are administered by the Bureau of Land Management-Carson City District.

Lake Tahoe experienced a year like no other in 2015, according to scientists from the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center in its annual Tahoe: State of the Lake Report, released this week.

Lake Tahoe is experienced warming water, a 4.8 foot drop in clarity, increased algae and a lowering water level.

Thanks to global climate change, Lake Tahoe is warming faster than ever according to the report which covers results from tests conducted on the lake in 2015 concerning water temperature, clarity, invasive species and more.

Social media lit up about stories of a fireball streaking across the sky on Wednesday evening just after 9:30 p.m. A flaming image across the sky could be seen by people from Colorado to California, with most not knowing the cause, but admiring the beauty.

The "fireball" was actually space junk from China's newest satellite launcher a Chinese CZ-7 rocket that re-entered the atmosphere at 9:36 p.m. PST. According to the Associated Press, the rocket was launched from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in China on June 25 and was expected to reenter on July 28.

South Lake Tahoe-based Tahoe Blue Vodka has donated $5,000 to the League to Save Lake Tahoe, with encouragement to community members to match their contribution to support the League’s beach cleanups. League supporters surpassed the match, raising over $10,000.

Despite near average rainfall in much of Northern California this past winter, 60 percent of the state remains in severe or extreme drought. Groundwater basins and many reservoirs are badly depleted as the state’s drought grinds into a fifth year. Those living in, and visiting, South Lake Tahoe, have enjoyed higher water levels to view, boat and recreate in.

The Ridge Tahoe resort at the top of Kingsbury Grade has expanded their wedding and conference capabilities for the newly renovated 3,700 square foot Castle Rock Event Space. The rustic Tahoe mountain venue has expanded its Clubhouse by 2,300 square feet, added two state of the art meeting rooms highlighted by architectural details including complementary natural wood decor, 16-foot high ceilings, and large windows allowing for natural ambient light.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board on Wednesday recognized the extraordinary, lifelong contributions of Coe Swobe. Swobe is considered the “father of TRPA” for his bipartisan work to create the agency and its mission to conserve and restore Lake Tahoe’s environment. Swobe died on May 26, 2016 at age 87.

As a Nevada State Senator, Swobe brokered the landmark 1969 agreement between then Nevada Gov. Paul Laxalt and then California Gov. Ronald Reagan and the two state legislatures to create TRPA and the nation’s first environmental bi-state compact.

Fallen Leaf Campground will be closed starting Monday, June 27 so county and state public health and vector control officials can start pesticide treatments to minimize the risk of plague.

The treatments are a public safety precaution after tests on 15 rodents resulted in one positive case of plague on June 20, 2016. There is minimal risk to the public at this time.

The campground will close at 7:00 p.m. Monday but all campers will need to check out by noon. The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit expects it to reopen by Friday, July 1 in time for the holiday weekend.

Now that school is out, the City of South Lake Tahoe Recreation Department is offering their summer program, South Tahoe Adventure Camp (STAR).

STAR Youth Camp is designed for children ages 6-12 years (entering grades 1st-6th), Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., June 20 – August 19. The camps’ slogan is..."NO CHILD LEFT INSIDE!” Their mission is to provide an active, healthy, and safe environment for youth to learn and play. We focus on inspiring a love for the outdoors through exposure to the natural playground in and around the Tahoe region.

The commumity is invited to the Lake Tahoe Community College's Class of 2016 commencement on Friday, June 24 at South Tahoe Middle Schoolat 6:00 p.m. 174 students are graduating, 40 with honors, eight with highest honores, 36 with departmental certificates and 61 with a transfer degree that guarantees them a seat in a California State University this fall.

The theme of graduation this year is based on a William Arthur Ward quote: "If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it."

Not only have the Girl Scouts from Troop #143 been helping fill bags of food all year for the Bread & Broth 4 Kids program during the whole school year, they also presented the non-profit with a $250 gift card to purchase food with for local children in need. They raised the money from selling Girl Scout cookies this past winter.

The fourth and fifth graders wanted to earn their Bronze Award and decided they wanted to find a community service project that would help other kids and found the Bread & Broth 4 Kids a natural choice.

Some lessons in school can carry forward into life lessons teaching the student both the material new to their minds as well as accessing their innate skills. This year for the first time the fifth grade at Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School in Meyers, California had just such an opportunity.

Location

How do aquatic invasive plants and animals threaten the ecology and water quality of Lake Tahoe? Learn about steps you can take to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species during the next Tahoe Talks in the Aspen Room at Lake Tahoe Community College on Wednesday, June 15 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Local experts will talk about why it’s important to inspect your boat, clean your recreational equipment and keep an eye out for aquatic invasive plants.

Speakers:

Zack Bradford, Natural Resources Manager, League to Save Lake Tahoe

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and its Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers team are partnering with the Lake Tahoe Outreach Committee and other Lake Tahoe organizations to host community events and educational activities June 6-13. As visitors flock to the outdoor recreation wonderland that is Lake Tahoe the trails, beaches and forests are experiencing an increase in use and the associated impacts of trash, trail erosion and shoreline degradation.

A joint effort between the City of South Lake Tahoe and Lake Tahoe Community College will soon expand recreation offerings on the South Shore.

The Community Playfields Expansion Project will bring two new playfields to the area as work gets underway on the Community Playfields Expansion Project adjacent to the current soccer field at the college.