History of Lake Tahoe
History
As its name suggests, the City of South Lake Tahoe is situated at the southern region of the beautiful and famous Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is a very large lake, the largest in fact, in the entire Northern American region. It is so large that it part of it occupies both the State of California and the State of Nevada. It is here in the American State of California, within the El Dorado County, that the historic site of South Lake Tahoe can be found.Even before settlers and adventurers first stepped foot on the New World as they call it, there were already many tribe of Indian Americans which knew of the existence and whereabouts of the pristine Lake Tahoe. It was said that there were around 3-5 tribes of Washoe Indians who continually visited Lake Tahoe, believing the place was home to many powerful spirits of nature. Many of these Indian tribes also lived around the surrounding areas of Lake Tahoe, benefiting from the peaceful atmosphere and bountiful fruits of nature.
However, the Washoe tribes would eventually not be the only ones to know of the existence of this magnificent natural treasure. On the year 1944, two explorers named Kit Carson and Lieutenant John C. Fremont, along with their Indian native guide, first got a glimpse of the perfect blue waters of Lake Tahoe atop the Red Lake Peak.
Not long after the discovery made by these two explorers, many people, especially explorers and entrepreneurs, started coming to Lake Tahoe. Thus, a few simple inns and lodges were constructed along the near perimeters of the Lake to offer accommodations for the fast growing number of visitors.
But on 1859, a big discovery was made in the form of Comstock Lode. It was discovered that this area which in now part of Virginia City in Nevada, was a rich silver deposit. Thus, a silver rush of sorts soon came to be. Hundreds of prospectors and luck-seekers rushed to the area in the hopes of making their fortune within the mines of Comstock Lode. This discovery made in nearby Comstock Lode greatly affected the course that Lake Tahoe’s history is to take.
Most of the people headed for the mines passed through Lake Tahoe. Thus, this area once home to several indigenous tribes who live harmoniously with the many species of fauna and flora, was soon over run by the construction of more lodging spaces, trail tracks, railway stations, roads, and many other enterprises. Later on, towns and cities such as the City of South Lake Tahoe grew along the border of the largest lake in the US.
Not only that, but these feverish constructions brought about by the silver rush in neighboring Comstock Lode lead to deforestation of the pine forests surrounding Lake Tahoe. In order to be able to build hotels and later on casinos, as well as to make huge amounts of profit, the proud standing pine trees around Lake Tahoe were harvested. Bustling communities, towns, and later on cities would soon develop along the banks of Lake Tahoe but the price the decline in forested areas along Lake Tahoe.
At present, the City of South Lake Tahoe as well as other communities surrounding this national treasure called Lake Tahoe are taking steps to remedy the damages brought about in the past so that future generations can have a chance to see and enjoy the wonders of Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe Weather
Best Management Practices
Best Management Practices aka BMP’s
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
General Information
The (Tahoe Regional Planning Compact) calls for the Regional Plan to establish a balance between the natural environment and the human-made environment. The Plan emphasizes an improvement in the quality of development in the Region and in the quality of the natural environment.
Environmental Thresholds Carrying Capacities set environmental goals and standards for the Lake Tahoe Basin and indirectly define the capacity of the Region to accommodate additional land development. Land development may negatively affect attainment of an environmental threshold. Special efforts, such as mitigation measures, must be taken to reduce impacts.
The Regional Plan Goals and Policies document presents the overall approach to meeting the Thresholds. A key component of the Plan is the land use element. The land use element of the Plan identifies the fundamental philosophies directing land use and development in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
It addresses topics like suitable development locations; maintenance of the environmental, social, physical, and economic well being of the Region; and coordination with local, state, and federal requirements.
The Land Use Element of the Lake Tahoe Regional Plan includes the following Sub elements: land use, housing, noise, natural hazards, air quality, water quality, and community design. The Land Use sub elements intend to establish land use goals and policies that will ensure the desired equilibrium and attain and maintain the environmental thresholds within a specific time schedule.
A number of regulations are needed to implement and enforce policies identified in the Plan. The TRPA Regulatory Code compiles all of the laws and ordinances needed to implement the Goals and Policies.
Related to the Code are Plan Area Statements and Community Plans. Plan Area Statements provide a description of land use for particular areas in the Basin. The Lake Tahoe Region is divided into more than 175 separate Plan Areas. For each Plan Area, a “statement” is made as to how that particular area should be regulated to achieve environmental and land use objectives. Community plans are similar to Plan Area Statements, but focus on specific areas where humans dwell.
The popularity of the Lake Tahoe Basin has created an altered watershed. The positive economic effects of popularity are shadowed by conditions that have the potential to harm Lake Tahoe water resources. Planning land use to accommodate economic growth and vitality ensures that protective measures are taken to maintain a healthy watershed.
Everything we do to the land in the Lake Tahoe Basin can positively or adversely affect lake water clarity. This means that activities occurring on the land, such as applying fertilizers and pesticides, have a high potential to affect the Lake’s water quality. Sixty-three streams flow into Lake Tahoe and are the invisible threads that connect the Lake to our homes and us. Everything we use or produce in the watershed — sewage, fertilizers, pesticides, motor oil, and animal wastes — can be carried into Lake Tahoe.
Land use corresponds to the socio-economic description of areas used for residential, industrial or commercial, farming or forestry, and recreational or conservation purposes. In order to better understand concepts of land use and land cover, and how they relate to the Lake Tahoe Basin, there are three important terms to know:
Land cover addresses the physical characteristics or make up of the earth’s surface and describes whether land is comprised of vegetation, water, desert, ice, or human activities such as buildings, mines, and roads.
Land use addresses the main activity occurring on the covered land. It is often an activity dictated by humans. For example, a forest might be used for logging or recreation and tourism. In this example, the land uses are logging and recreation and tourism. The land cover is forest.
Land capability is also referred to as land suitability and addresses the type and extent of land development, if any, appropriate for a particular land area. Land capability analysis identifies soil type and slope of the land to determine the extent of land use. Land capability is an important topic in the Lake Tahoe Basin as it determines where new development can occur and to what extent.
Since the late 1970’s, TRPA and other regulatory agencies in the Tahoe Region have used the land capability classification system known as the “Bailey system” to determine whether owners of vacant parcels may obtain building permits for new residences or businesses. The Bailey system was replaced in vacant residential parcels with an alternate concept known as the Individual Parcel Evaluation System (IPES).
Today, federal, state, and local governments regulate growth and development through statutory law. Human impacts, such as run-off from buildings and roads and erosion from recreation trails and ski resorts, can seriously harm Lake Tahoe’s legendary cobalt-blue water clarity and cause water quality deterioration. Land use measures being taken to protect Lake Tahoe water quality are regulations and programs that include:
Tahoe Regional Planning Compact
Environmental Thresholds Carrying Capacities
Regional Plan Goals and Policies
Related Plans and Reference Documents(e.g., related to transportation planning), and
Laws of other jurisdictions(e.g., county, municipal, state, and federal).
About TRPA
Lake Tahoe is a magnificent body of water that is threatened by environmental degradation. Its famed clarity has steadily been declining due to human impact.
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is charged with protecting this national treasure for the benefit of current and future generations. Our vision is to have a lake and environment that is clean, healthy and sustainable for the community and future generations.
TRPA Core Values
Environmental Protection: Serving as stewards of Lake Tahoe and attaining environmental thresholds while sustaining the ecological, social and economic well being of the Tahoe Region.
Public Service and Professionalism: Serving the public with the highest professional standards of openness, integrity, honesty, fairness, consistency and equity.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Building a relationship of trust and cooperation with the community and stakeholders while promoting teamwork within the Agency.
Communication: Communicating proactively both internally and to the public and target audiences to foster public education and understanding of our mission.
Management: Using the best available science to cooperatively lead a strategic effort to save Lake Tahoe with a focus on results.
Lake Tahoe Marinas
There are several small marinas around the lake, as well as the huge Tahoe Keys marina at South Lake Tahoe. Slips are a precious commodity, however, and generally are not available except for full-season rentals–and even then, waiting lists are often years long.Most marinas also provide a variety of services; for lists of marinas providing specific services, see listings for services.
Camp Richardson Marina
Boat service and repair, fishing and sailing excursions and charters, boat rentals (kayaks, jet skis, runabouts, paddle boats), raft tours, boat and accessory sales, mooring buoy rentals.
Boat Access: Free mooring or tie-up at pier when patronizing Camp Richardson businesses1900 Jameson Beach Rd.
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158
(530) 542-6570
Homewood Marina
Mooring buoys, on shore storage, slips(?), forklift launch, boat cleaning and waxing.
5190 West Lake Blvd.
Homewood, CA 96141
(530) 525-5966
Fax: (530) 525-0209
Lakeside Marina
Launch ramp, boat storage, slips and moorings, boat rentals, fuel dock, “5 minute walk from casinos”.
Park Ave. & Lakeshore
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(530) 541-6626
Meeks Bay Marina
Marina, launch ramp, adjacent to campground and lodging.
7941 Emerald Bay Road
Tahoma, CA 96142
(530) 525-5588
Fax: (530) 525-4028
North Tahoe Marina
Full-service, speedboat-oriented marina; fuel dock, power boat rentals, storage, launching, boat sales (Fountain, Formula, Crown Line), full service (mechanical, hull, upholstery, canvas).
7360 North Lake Blvd.
Tahoe Vista, CA 96148
(530) 546-8248 or (800) 58MARINA
Obexer’s Boat Company
Part of Tahoe history, established 1911. Boat service, sales and repair, mast stepping, slips, mooring buoys, inside and outside on-shore storage, launch ramp, forklift launch, travelift, pumpout, gas dock, chandlery.
5300 West Lake Blvd.
Homewood, CA 96141
(530) 525-7962
Round Hill Pines Beach Marina
Huge pier with Caesars and other big casino boats, ski school, big mooring field, short-term tieup at dock, buoys and watertaxi, may beach boat as well; snack bar, tennis, swimming pool.
Boat Access: Marla Bay
Hwy 50
Stateline, Nevada 89449
(702) 588-3055
Sierra Boat Co. Inc
Amazing collection of woodies on site, both in the water and out; restoration, sales, service, chandlery, fuel dock.
Boat Access: No guest slips or docking (except for fuel); visitors can use Gar Woods pier and walk up the street
5146 North Lake Blvd.
Carnelian Bay, CA 96140
(530) 546-2551
Fax: (530) 546-7321
Email: service@sierraboat.com
Ski Run Marina
Upscale marina with lots of tourist shops and restaurants, slips and moorings for rent.
Boat Access: Moorings; water taxi until 9 pm (do not attempt to enter marina; shallow water and limited room to maneuver)
900 Ski Run Blvd.
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(530) 541-5448
Sunnyside Marina
Boat launch (forklift, $35.00), mooring buoys, docks, water taxi, fuel dock.
1835 West Lake Blvd.
Sunnyside, CA
(530) 583-7201
Tahoe City Marina
Full service, right in the middle of town, easy access on foot to supermarkets, shops, restaurants, services; free mooring, or tie-up to public dock; travelift.
Boat Access: A few guest spots at base of fuel dock and along waterfront in front of Grazie!; or pick up a guest mooring and dinghy in or call Marina for pick-up
700 North Lake Blvd.
Tahoe City, CA 96145
(530) 583-1039
Tahoe Keys Marina
The largest marina on the lake, with 280 slips, 45 ton travelift, forklift or ramp launching, wet or dry storage, boat rentals; full boat service and repair available, fuel dock and pumpout. More…
2475 Venice Dr.
South Lake Tahoe, CA 95731
(530) 541-2155
Fax: (530) 541-8124
Tahoe Vista Inn & Marina
Suites w/fireplaces, kitchens, and decks, on the lake, small launch ramp, some moorings (no taxi), 3 or 4 guest slips (very shallow bottom), but definitely not a marina.
7220 North Lake Blvd.
Tahoe Vista, CA 96148
(530) 546-7662 (800) 662-3433
Fax: (530) 546-7963
Timber Cove Marina
More of a long pier than a real marina; boat rentals, speedboat rides, parasailing and sportfishing.
3411 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(530) 544-2942
Zephyr Cove Marina
10-175 HP boats available, jet skis and pedal boats, M.S. Dixie paddlewheeler excursion boat, fuel dock (w/diesel).
760 Hwy 50
Zephyr Cove, Nevada 89448
(702) 588-3833
