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Research about Lake Tahoe

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Lake Tahoe.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
USGS2004

Gasoline-related organics in Lake Tahoe before and after prohibition of carbureted two-stroke engines

On June 1, 1999, carbureted two-stroke engines were banned on waters within the Lake Tahoe Basin of California and Nevada. The main gasoline components MTBE (methyl tert -butyl ether) and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) were present at detectable concentrations in all samples taken from Lake Tahoe during 1997–98 prior to the ban. Samples taken from 1999 through 2001 after the ban contained between 10 and 60 percent of the pre-ban concentrations of these compounds, with MTBE exhibiting the most dramatic change (a 90 percent decrease). MTBE and BTEX concentrations in water samples from Lake Tahoe and Lower Echo Lake were related to the amount of boat use at the sampling sites. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds are produced by high-temperature pyrolytic reactions. They were sampled using semipermeable membrane sampling devices in Lake Tahoe and nearby Donner Lake, where carbureted two-stroke engines are legal. PAHs were detected in all samples taken from Lake Tahoe and Donner Lake. The number of PAH compounds and their concentrations are related to boat use. The highest concentrations of PAH were detected in samples from two heavily used boating areas, Tahoe Keys Marina and Donner Lake boat ramp. Other sources of PAH, such as atmospheric deposition, wood smoke, tributary streams, and automobile exhaust do not contribute large amounts of PAH to Lake Tahoe. Similar numbers of PAH compounds and concentrations were found in Lake Tahoe before and after the ban of carbureted two-stroke engines.

California, Nevada↗
USGS1995

Evidence of autumn nitrogen limitation and contribution of picoplankton to carbon fixation in Lake Tahoe

Water samples were collected from Lake Tahoe at midlake and nearshore stations at three depths (25, 50, and 75 m, corresponding to light intensities of approximately 10, 1, and 0.1% of surface light) in May and September. The water samples were evaluated to decide the following: (1) whether carbon fixation was N-limited and whether there were differences between picoplankton and larger phytoplankters and (2) the relative importance of picoplankton carbon fixation and related photosynthetic parameters. Evidence of N-limitation was observed only in September at the midlake station for the populations at 50 and 75 m, and to a lesser extent at the nearshore station at 75 m, but only for the nanoplankton fraction. The contribution of picoplankton to total carbon fixation ranged from 34 to 69% and did not increase with depth. Low values for I k , the photoadaptation parameter, for deep water populations (0.1% light level) in September, but not May, suggested that these populations were adapted to low light in the fall but not the spring.

California, Nevada↗
USGS1976

Sediment discharge from highway cut-slopes in the Lake Tahoe Basin, California, 1972-74

Streamflow and fluvial-sediment discharge data were collected at selected streams and highway gutters in the Lake Tahoe basin to determine the extent of erosion from highway cuts and to attempt to evaluate the effects of various land-treatment practices to reduce erosion. Estimate of long-term annual total-sediment discharge from six streams into the lake is 7,100 tons (6,400 tonnes), of which 2,300 tons (2,100 tonnes) is finer than 62 micrometres. During 1972-74, snowmelt runoff (April-July) accounted for 65 percent of the water and sediment discharge. Approximately 90 percent of the sediment is transported in suspension. Sediment measured at 16 gutterflow stations at the base of highway cut-slopes indicates that less than 100 tons (91 tonnes) of fine sediment per year are contributed to the lake from all California State highway cuts. Sediment-transport rates are highly variable, and an unknown part of the measured sediment was derived from sources other than highway cuts. Data were not adequate to demonstrate the effectiveness of treatments to stabilize cut-slopes.

Lake Tahoe↗
USGS1973

Sediment discharge in the Lake Tahoe basin, California, 1972 water year

Streamflow and fluvial-sediment discharge data are being collected at selected streams and highway gutters in the Lake Tahoe basin to determine the extent of erosion from highway cuts and to evaluate the effects of various land treatment practices to reduce erosion. Precipitation in the Lake Tahoe area during 1972 was 77 percent of normal; consequently, runoff was well below normal. Seventy-six percent of the total annual runoff during the 1972 water year occurred from March through June 1972. Sediment samples were collected during the year at streamflow gaging stations and at gutter stations at highway cuts to define the range of transport conditions. The major part (87 percent) of the annual suspended-sediment discharge during the 1972 water year occurred during the snowmelt runoff period, March through June.

California↗