Study under way into effect of smoky skies on Tahoe

Sunday, Oct. 10, 1999 | 10:44 a.m.

A rash of California wildfires has put a smoky haze over Tahoe in recent months, and University of California, Davis researchers want to know whether the smoke is harming the lake's famous clear, blue waters.

Researcher John Reuter said smoke contains fine particles, phosphorous and nitrogen, all of which contribute to the lake's waning clarity.

Limited research in the past has shown that smoke's effect on the lake depends on the proximity and intensity of the fires causing the smoke, he said.

"Based on some of the past studies that have been done, it can have a very big effect or not a very big effect," Reuter said. "I guess the jury is still out on this one. It's just a bit too early to tell now."

Researchers have collected air samples over the last few months and plan to mix the samples with lake water to see how the water reacts.

"There is some data (on prescribed burns) but not as much as we would like to have, to be able to guide management," Reuter said.

"Until we're asked by an agency to do this kind of work in a big way, the next best thing is to take advantage of this event. This was surely a prolonged one that was visually obvious."

Alan Gertler, an air quality researcher for the Reno-based Desert Research Institute, said he thinks it's unlikely the smoke has a big effect on the lake's clarity.

"The biggest issue is the visual degradation," he said. "In terms of lake clarity, I would say the effect is minimal."

Tom Cylke, a forecaster for the National Weather Service in Reno, said that while the smoky haze has looked ugly, actual particulates in the air are only slightly more dense than normal for this time of year.

"I doubt (the smoke will affect Tahoe). If it was that concentrated, it would be showing up on your car - the dusts," he said.