Downstream users fear restrictions on Tahoe water storage

Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999 | 9:42 a.m.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency has formed a committee to look into shoreline erosion from high water levels and its role, if any, in clouding the lake's famed clarity.

The committee will report to the agency's governing board later this month on whether an in-depth study on the issue is needed.

Sierra Pacific Power Company, the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District and the Washoe County Water Conservation District sent a letter to the agency downplaying the matter.

They fear a study could lead to restrictions on how much water can be stored at Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe is the largest reservoir on the Truckee River system and can store up to 744,600 acre-feet of water for downstream use. That's enough water to supply the cities of Reno and Sparks for 10 years.

"People talk about lowering Tahoe in a casual manner as if we're not talking very much water," said Janet Carson, Sierra Pacific's water policy director. "They don't realize how much water is in a foot of Lake Tahoe. One inch is enough to keep (minimum) fish flows going for months."

Larry Sevison, TRPA governing board chairman who asked that the problem by discussed, became concerned last year when waves pushed by winter storms carved out big chunks of soil on the west shore.

Soil contains phosphorous, which feeds algae growth that dims the lake's clarity.

Scientists don't know how big a problem shoreline erosion is, said John Reuter, a member of the Tahoe Research Group's research faculty.

One rough estimate blames shoreline erosion for less than 1 percent of the lake's total phosphorous input, Reuter said, adding that the primary sources of phosphorous in Lake Tahoe are thought to be atmospheric deposition, stream flow and runoff from urban areas.

"Shoreline erosion is a very emotional hot button now," Reuter said. "A lot of folks are having their shorelines destroyed or significantly altered."