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Officials plan clarity-credit program for Lake Tahoe

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on November 24, 2009 at 6:41 am

Lake Tahoe North Shore #14 2009 smallerFrom the Reno Gazette Journal:

“The worst pollutants in urban runoff around Lake Tahoe must be cut by 32 percent over 15 years to meet goals for restoring the lake’s clarity.

Scientists and environmental regulators are preparing a system to track progress in reducing pollutants with the goal of making Tahoe at least 10 feet clearer.

“We need to be able to measure and account for the gains we are getting on the ground,” said Joanne Marchetta, executive director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

Historically, one could see more than 100 feet into Tahoe’s azure depths from the surface. Pollution resulting from human activity diminished clarity during the past 40 years. Today, one can see about 70 feet into the lake.

Scientists long thought algae growth fueled by nitrogen and phosphorus was the primary factor in clarity loss. They now believe suspended sediments, particles about a third the size of a human hair in diameter, are the most important cause of diminishing clarity and are the primary target. … “

Read more from the Reno Gazette Journal by clicking here.

November 24, 2009 · Filed Under Lake Tahoe & the Sierra's

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