Las Vegas Sun

December 2, 2009

Currently: 42° | Complete forecast | Log in

TRPA looks into link between water level, Tahoe pollution

Thursday, July 29, 1999 | 11:59 a.m.

Larry Sevison, chairman of the TRPA governing board, on Wednesday asked staff to form a committee to study the issue and recommend whether detailed studies are needed.

A dam at Tahoe City, Calif., controls the flow of runoff from Lake Tahoe into the Truckee River.

At times, Tahoe's water level is nearly 6 feet above its natural rim with water stored for downstream users, including Reno and Sparks.

Sevison said high water has eroded the shoreline and toppled trees into the lake.

"It's mind boggling. It looks like a war zone," he said.

"I'm concerned we're trying to keep the lake at a peak, peak, peak high to the point we're getting erosion we haven't had in 200 years," he said.

Sevison said he fears sediment from the erosion could counter multimillion-dollar efforts to stem pollution from other sources.

archive

  • Most Read
  • Discussed
  • Most E-mailed

Complete Listing

Calendar »

  • 2 Wed
  • 3 Thu
  • 4 Fri
  • 5 Sat
  • 6 Sun

All events on Wednesday »