The lake rises!
It’s been raining steadily for the last several days, and more rain is coming in today. While we don’t like the street flooding and water seeping into our houses that rain can bring, we do like to see the water level rise in our beloved Lake Tahoe. As of today, February 9th, Tahoe’s water level is above 6225.6 feet, and growing. This is over 2.5 feet above the natural rim, and a half a foot higher then a week ago! And more rain is expected tonight.
According to a Forbes magazine story, “The National Weather Service calculated that since Jan. 1 of 2017 the lake has gained over 40 billion gallons of water. The stormy weather and heavy rains don't appear to be slowing down with sequential blizzards hitting the region in almost weekly intervals.”
When this winter began, the water level was just below the natural rim of the lake, and has now climbed to over 2.5 feet over the rim. Given that it is only mid February, and a huge snowpack still sits in the mountains, there is a good chance the lake will fill to its legal limit of 6229 feet or close to it by this summer.
What will this mean for this summer?
Great boating in Lake Tahoe and much less fear of hitting your propeller or your sailboat keel on a rock. You will be able to bring your boat closer to shore and to places you have not been able to the last few years.
The “island” at Lake Forest will once again become an island.
Tahoe’s beaches will be smaller. This is an advantage if you are carrying your paddleboard or kayak to the water, but is a disadvantage if you are trying to locate a wee bit of “real estate” to put your chair down.
Once again you will be able to kayak to The Commons Beach in Tahoe City and watch and listen to the performers from the lake at the Sunday Summer Concerts. I like to float gently off shore and let the music carry me away. Ah, just the thought of it makes me look forward to summer time.