Featured Program of the Month- Stormwater Program

Clear Waters, Shared Future: Over a Decade of Protecting Lake Tahoe

Since 2013, the Stormwater Program at Tahoe RCD has been working behind the scenes to ensure Lake Tahoe stays clear and vibrant for generations to come. As we celebrate over a decade of service, we want to share how our work protects the environment we all love.

A scenic view of a blue lake surrounded by lush green forests and dotted with boats under a bright blue sky with clouds.

Our Mission: Science-Driven Improvement of Lake Tahoe Clarity
Lake Tahoe’s famous clarity is threatened by pollutants, including fine sediment and nutrients, that wash into the water during rain and snowmelt. Our primary goal is to assist seven local jurisdictions meet the strict Lake Tahoe Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements through:

  • Data collection: Monitoring actual pollutant levels in runoff to track progress.
  • Innovation: Researching cutting-edge methods to trap pollutants before they reach Lake Tahoe.
  • Pilot projects: Planning and testing new stormwater infrastructure to keep the water clear.

Collaboration

Protecting a resource as massive as Lake Tahoe requires teamwork. We are proud to collaborate with partners including Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Nevada Department of Transportation, Caltrans, Washoe and Douglas counties in Nevada, Placer and El Dorado counties in California, and the City of South Lake Tahoe.

Our Proudest Achievement
Since our founding, we have become the stormwater experts of the Tahoe Basin. By bridging the gap between complex science and practical planning, we provide the technical backbone that local leaders need to make informed environmental decisions.

Our Focus: Your Legacy
Our work is fueled by the Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) goals. Everything we do supports restoring lake clarity so that whether you are paddleboarding, swimming, or simply enjoying the view, the lake remains a treasure for decades to come.

How You Can Help

While we work on large-scale infrastructure, your daily actions make a difference. Here is how you can support a healthy lake:

  • Keep It Clean: Ensure only rain goes down the storm drain; never dump oil, chemicals, or trash.
  • Control Erosion: Use Best Management Practices (BMPs) on your property—like rain gardens or gravel—to prevent soil from washing away.
  • Get Involved: Participate in local beach cleanups and stay informed about EIP projects in your neighborhood.
A construction site with a machine lifting a bag of material, surrounded by trees and workers preparing the area.
Incorporating biochar into a stormwater infiltration basin for a research project. Biochar may enhance infiltration and pollutant removal.
The image shows a drainage outlet with water flowing through it, surrounded by rocks and vegetation with some foam.
Urban stormwater runoff discharging through a culvert pipe equipped with a flume to measure flow, and a turbidimeter to estimate fine sediment particle concentration.

 

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