Boating Lake Tahoe

Learn about aquatic invasive species

2011-03-23T17:39:00.000-07:00

The Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Coordination Committee will host a public forum on April 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the US Forest Service Building at 35 College Drive in South Lake Tahoe.

Brief presentations will focus on aquatic invasive species prevention and control projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin, including the Tahoe Watercraft Inspection Program, invasive aquatic plant and Asian clam control efforts, and non-native fish removal. The evening will conclude with a question and answer period. Light refreshments will be served.

Aquatic Invasive Species pose a real and serious threat to the Tahoe Basin’s unique natural environment and economy. Prevention efforts such as the Watercraft Inspection Program aim to avoid introduction of harmful species, such as Quagga and Zebra Mussels and New Zealand mudsnails. However, efforts have expanded in recent years to include control projects for invasive species already present in Lake Tahoe, such as Asian clams, Eurasian watermilfoil, curlyleaf pondweed, and non-native fishes. Primary funding for these projects has come from US Fish & Wildlife Service.

“Preventing and controlling aquatic invasive species matters to everyone who lives, works or plays here,” said Pete Brumis, Public Outreach Specialist for Tahoe RCD. ”

The AIS Forum offers the opportunity to interact with those leading the efforts to protect Lake Tahoe.” Presenters include scientists, research professionals and agency personnel from UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, TRPA, the U.S. Forest Service, Tahoe RCD and the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Project partners also hope to host another forum in the fall to summarize activities and lessons learned over the summer.

Tickets on sale for Concours d'Elegance

2011-03-14T15:11:00.000-07:00

CARNELIAN BAY, Calif. - Tickets to the 39th Annual Lake Tahoe Concours d'Elegance Wooden Boat Show are available online at http://www.laketahoeconcours.com.

Make reservations for this year's show, which takes place Aug. 12 to 13 at Sierra Boat Company Marina in Carnelian Bay.

Show tickets
Show tickets may be purchased for one or two days allowing access along the docks at the Sierra Boat Company where you'll enjoy festivities, food, music, vendors and, of course, up-close and personal views of some of the most historic and classic wooden boats in the nation. Single day passes are $25 in advance and $30 at the gate. Two-day passes are $35 in advance and $40 at the gate. Children under 12 are free.

Awards barbecue
With a backdrop like no other surrounded by premiere Concours boats and the splendor of Lake Tahoe, join exhibitors, judges and guests for a Korbel Champagne barbecue catered by Men Wielding Fire. The presentation of 2011 Concours d' Elegance awards will be held at the Sierra Boat Company marina courtyard beginning at 6 p.m. on Aug. 12. Adult tickets are $50, children 6 to 12 are $25, and children under 6 are free.

Opening Night Gala
Don't miss this traditional kick-off event held at the West Shore Café at 6 p.m. on Aug. 11. Enjoy wine, elegant food, music and the stories behind the boats and their owners. Tickets are $135 and are limited to the first 200 people, so don't wait to secure your spot. Additional details and theme for the Gala will be announced closer to show dates. Continue to check show the Web site for up-to-date information.

Ladies' Luncheon & Fashion Show
All ladies are welcome to an afternoon with fellow boat exhibitors and friends to enjoy light beverages and a catered lunch while enjoying some of the hottest fashions from Sports Tahoe. Tickets are $55 and the event will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 14. Each year's luncheon is hosted at a fabulous locale in Lake Tahoe.

Men's Grill Turner Playtime
The tradition continues as late friend and Tahoe Yacht Club Staff Commodore Howard Turner is honored at the Men's Grill Playtime beginning at noon on Aug. 14. Tickets to this relaxed afternoon along the lakefront lawn are $45 and include a hosted bar and catered barbecue lunch by Melanie Jackson.

Visit http://www.laketahoeconcours.com/ for additional information on all ticket sales and event details. Additional information on sponsorship packages, participant entries, and scheduled entertainment are available online.

Bacteria could kill invasive species

2011-02-22T20:10:00.000-08:00

The recent discovery of a bacteria that can kill zebra and quagga mussels has raised hopes for private and public organizations fighting to control the environmentally hazardous speciesm according to news reports.

New York State Museum researchers Daniel Molloy and Denise Mayer discovered a bacteria strain — Pseudomonas fluorescens — that can kill zebra and quagga mussels without killing other native species in the ecosystem.

Quagga and zebra mussels have not entered Lake Tahoe, but in the past three years the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency has implemented a lake-wide boat inspection program in an effort to prevent aquatic invasive species from entering into the waters of Lake Tahoe.

The complete story is available at the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

Thunderbird Lodge Lighthouse restored

2011-02-22T19:56:00.000-08:00

From "Thunderbird Tales" newsletter

The Whittell Harbor Beacon (Lighthouse) at Thunderbird Lodge has been an East Shore fixture since it was built in 1938.

Early photos show a bridge from the lighthouse parapet to shore, but it appears to have been removed during Whittell’s time.

As the years took their toll, winter storms battered the monument until the
base was all but gone. The beacon was in imminent danger of collapsing as only
a tiny pinnacle of rock remained to support the structure.

After nearly two years were spent obtaining the regulatory approvals and
permits for these emergency repairs, the beacon was saved in just three short
weeks of construction in October.

For more and other news about the Thunderbird Lodge, visit www.thunderbirdlodge.org. You can find the latest newsletter, under the link for "Preservation Society."

TRPA appeals pier construction ruling

2011-01-04T18:46:00.000-08:00

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency has said it will appeal a federal judge's ruling that struck down rules guiding new pier construction and other shoreline activity on Lake Tahoe.

The agency hopes to overturn a September decision by U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence K. Karlton that found TRPA failed to ensure protection of the lake's environment with new regulations on shoreline development, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal.

"We feel there is substantial case law that supports the analysis TRPA used" in preparing the regulations, said Nicole Rinke, the agency's general counsel. "The amendments were the result of a 20-plus-year stakeholder process and represent a reasonable approach to regulation of the shoreline."

While the appeal is pending, a freeze will remain in effect on new piers, buoys and moorings around the Tahoe Basin. After Jan. 17, TRPA will begin accepting applications for shore zone projects under rules in effect before the October 2008 adoption of the regulations now being litigated.

The League to Save Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Club sued over those regulations, which would have allowed 138 new piers, 1,862 new buoys and six new boat ramps.

Wendy Park, an Earthjustice attorney representing the two environmental groups, described Karlton's ruling at the time as a "very significant ruling for Lake Tahoe."

The new shoreline facilities, Park said, would have caused additional boating pollution and further diminished clarity of the landmark alpine lake.

Inspection program working

2011-01-01T11:57:00.000-08:00

Watercraft inspection data and scientific reports continue to indicate that Lake Tahoe’s waters remain clear of invasive Quagga and Zebra mussels, which are considered major threats to Lake Tahoe and surrounding waterbodies.

Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) watercraft inspectors performed 8,000 inspections this boating season, and there were an additional 19,000 launches comprised of watercraft with intact Tahoe-issued inspection seals.

“We’re very happy with the watercraft inspection program thus far,” said Patrick Stone, TRPA’s Senior Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist and lead for early detection monitoring of invasive mussels. “Investigations conducted around Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake and Echo Lake confirmed that Quagga and Zebra mussels have not established in our lakes. These results are a credit to the inspection program.”

Concern among local agencies remains high as more Western waterbodies have shown evidence of invasive mussels and other aquatic invaders. Waterbodies in California and Nevada known to be infected with invasive mussels include San Justo Reservoir, Lake Mead, Lake Havasu and the entire Colorado River system.

As watercraft continue to arrive from high risk waters, the importance of Lake Tahoe’s watercraft inspection program remains critical. Federal appropriations through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2010 enabled the program to implement off-highway inspection stations. This created an opportunity to streamline inspection procedures and increase decontamination capacity.

2010 saw a dramatic increase in watercraft decontaminations, which doubled from approximately 600 in 2009 to 1,208 this year. Improved decontamination capacity at off-highway inspection locations allowed inspectors to be more thorough in treating high-risk watercraft. Additional improvements to inspection protocol allowed inspectors to increase prevention efforts by intercepting watercraft arriving from waters known to be infested with aquatic invasive mussels.

In total, 11 watercraft showing the presence of aquatic invasive species of concern were intercepted and decontaminated.

“It only takes one contaminated boat to introduce aquatic invasive species into Lake Tahoe,” said Tahoe RCD Biological Resources Program Manager Kim Boyd. “We need to remain vigilant and not let our guard down. We hope that by demonstrating the success of the watercraft inspection program for Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe RCD and its partners can create a model for prevention programs by sharing our resources and providing support. The TRPA, our key partner in invasive species prevention, continues to be instrumental in the success and evolution of this program.”

While the addition of convenient off-highway locations enabled boaters to receive their watercraft inspections and decontaminations when entering the Lake Tahoe Basin, marinas and boat launches continued to be the busiest locations for inspections in 2010.

Cave Rock saw the most inspections, followed by the Tahoe Keys Marina, Lake Forest Boat Launch, Meyers Inspection Station, Alpine Meadows Inspection Station and Sand Harbor. Off-highway inspection stations accounted for approximately 31 percent of all inspections performed during the 2010 boating season.

This year’s prevention efforts also included a more rigorous non-motorized watercraft inspection process at ramp facilities, U.S. Forest Service kiosks and Fallen Leaf Lake. Tahoe RCD inspectors surveyed more than 1,900 paddlers to assess the risk of transporting aquatic invasive species from previously visited water bodies. Paddlers also were educated about self-inspecting and decontaminating canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.

Planning for the 2011 season is under way with some improvements and changes that will better serve the boating community while still protecting the Lake. Current information on the boat inspection program, including hours of operation for boat launches and snow closures, is available at www.TahoeBoatInspections.com or by calling 888-824-6267.

Martime Museum members tour

2011-01-01T11:14:00.000-08:00

Award-winning boat builder Tony Brown and Sabina Pellissier invite Tahoe Maritime Museum mebers to tour their workshop and view the current restoration of "Miss Tahoe" in progress on Jan. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Mark your calendar and join the Museum for this special afternoon for all members. Light refreshments will be served. The workshop is located in Auburn. Space is limited, so please RSVP. For more information or to RSVP, call (530) 525-9253 or e-mail events@tahoemaritimemuseum.org.

New director for maritime museum

2011-01-01T11:12:00.000-08:00

The Tahoe Maritime Museum Board of Directors announces the appointment of Jesse Siess Hadley as the Museum's new Executive Director, effective Jan. 1.

Jesse was previously the Executive Director of the Coachella Valley Historical Society in Indio, Calif. "The Board believes that Jesse brings the professional museum experience necessary to continue the Tahoe Maritime Museum's development as a World Class institution," according to a release.

Inspections ward off invasive mussels

2010-12-15T12:52:00.000-08:00

Tahoe Resource Conservation District watercraft inspectors performed 8,000 inspections this boating season, and there were an additional 19,000 launches comprised of watercraft with intact Tahoe-issued inspection seals.

“We’re very happy with the watercraft inspection program thus far,” said Patrick Stone, TRPA’s Senior Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist and lead for early detection monitoring of invasive mussels. “Investigations conducted around Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake and Echo Lake confirmed that Quagga and Zebra mussels have not established in our lakes. These results are a credit to the inspection program.”

Concern among local agencies remains high as more Western waterbodies have shown evidence of invasive mussels and other aquatic invaders. Waterbodies in California and Nevada known to be infected with invasive mussels include San Justo Reservoir, Lake Mead, Lake Havasu and the entire Colorado River system. As watercraft continue to arrive from high risk waters, the importance of Lake Tahoe’s watercraft inspection program remains critical. Federal appropriations through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2010 enabled the program to implement off-highway inspection stations. This created an opportunity to streamline inspection procedures and increase decontamination capacity.

2010 saw a dramatic increase in watercraft decontaminations, which doubled from approximately 600 in 2009 to 1,208 this year. Improved decontamination capacity at off-highway inspection locations allowed inspectors to be more thorough in treating high-risk watercraft. Additional improvements to inspection protocol allowed inspectors to increase prevention efforts by intercepting watercraft arriving from waters known to be infested with aquatic invasive mussels.

In total, 11 watercraft showing the presence of aquatic invasive species of concern were intercepted and decontaminated.

“It only takes one contaminated boat to introduce aquatic invasive species into Lake Tahoe,” said Tahoe RCD Biological Resources Program Manager Kim Boyd. “We need to remain vigilant and not let our guard down. We hope that by demonstrating the success of the watercraft inspection program for Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe RCD and its partners can create a model for prevention programs by sharing our resources and providing support. The TRPA, our key partner in invasive species prevention, continues to be instrumental in the success and evolution of this program.”

While the addition of convenient off-highway locations enabled boaters to receive their watercraft inspections and decontaminations when entering the Lake Tahoe Basin, marinas and boat launches continued to be the busiest locations for inspections in 2010. Cave Rock saw the most inspections, followed by the Tahoe Keys Marina, Lake Forest Boat Launch, Meyers Inspection Station, Alpine Meadows Inspection Station and Sand Harbor. Off-highway inspection stations accounted for approximately 31 percent of all inspections performed during the 2010 boating season.

This year’s prevention efforts also included a more rigorous non-motorized watercraft inspection process at ramp facilities, U.S. Forest Service kiosks and Fallen Leaf Lake. Tahoe RCD inspectors surveyed more than 1,900 paddlers to assess the risk of transporting aquatic invasive species from previously visited water bodies. Paddlers also were educated about self-inspecting and decontaminating canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.

Current information on the boat inspection program, including hours of operation for boat launches and snow closures, is available at http://TahoeBoatInspections.com or by calling 888-824-6267. For more information on the district, visit www.tahoercd.org.

NASA study finds Earth's lakes are warming

2010-12-07T15:21:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON -- In the first comprehensive global survey of temperature trends in major lakes, NASA researchers determined Earth's largest lakes have warmed during the past 25 years in response to climate change.

Researchers Philipp Schneider and Simon Hook of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., used satellite data to measure the surface temperatures of 167 large lakes worldwide.

They reported an average warming rate of 0.81 degrees Fahrenheit per decade, with some lakes warming as much as 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit per decade. The warming trend was global, and the greatest increases were in the mid- to high-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.

"Our analysis provides a new, independent data source for assessing the impact of climate change over land around the world," said Schneider, lead author of the study published this week in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. "The results have implications for lake ecosystems, which can be adversely affected by even small water temperature changes."

Small changes in water temperature can result in algal blooms that can make a lake toxic to fish or result in the introduction of non-native species that change the lake's natural ecosystem.

Scientists have long used air temperature measurements taken near Earth's surface to compute warming trends. More recently, scientists have supplemented these measurements with thermal infrared satellite data that can be used to provide a comprehensive, accurate view of how surface temperatures are changing worldwide.

The NASA researchers used thermal infrared imagery from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and European Space Agency satellites. They focused on summer temperatures (July-September in the Northern Hemisphere and January-March in the Southern Hemisphere) because of the difficulty in collecting data in seasons when lakes are ice-covered and/or often hidden by clouds. Only nighttime data were used in the study

The bodies studied were selected from a global database of lakes and wetlands based on size (typically at least 193 square miles or larger) or other unique characteristics of scientific merit. The selected lakes also had to have large surface areas located away from shorelines, so land influences did not interfere with the measurements. Satellite lake data were collected from the point farthest from any shoreline.

The largest and most consistent area of warming was northern Europe. The warming trend was slightly weaker in southeastern Europe, around the Black and Caspian seas and Kazakhstan. The trends increased slightly farther east in Siberia, Mongolia and northern China.

In North America, trends were slightly higher in the southwest United States than in the Great Lakes region. Warming was weaker in the tropics and in the mid-latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. The results were consistent with the expected changes associated with global warming.

The satellite temperature trends largely agreed with trends measured by nine buoys in the Great Lakes, Earth's largest group of freshwater lakes in terms of total surface area and volume.

The lake temperature trends were also in agreement with independent surface air temperature data from NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York. In certain regions, such as the Great Lakes and northern Europe, water bodies appear to be warming more quickly than surrounding air temperature.

Tahoe analysis: Climate Change Forecasts

2010-11-24T11:01:00.000-08:00

UC Davis scientists have issued the most detailed forecast to date of likely climate-change effects at Lake Tahoe, complete with estimates of when those effects might be seen and how big they might be.

Their findings suggest that even under the most optimistic projections:
* The average snowpack in the Tahoe Basin will decline by 40 to 60 percent by the year 2100.
* Floods will increase in the middle of the century.
* Prolonged droughts will become more common at the end of the century.
* A new threat to the lake's unique ecology, one that will come from the bottom of the lake, will become important by the second half of the century.

The report was written for the U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Research Station. Its lead authors are Robert Coats, a UC Davis researcher and consulting hydrologist, John Reuter, associate director of the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, and Geoff Schladow, the center's director.

"Public dollars are funding restoration programs in the Tahoe region, which is a special place for millions of people," Schladow said. "For these programs to succeed, resource managers need to know what to expect in the coming decades.

"Will we have more or less snow, rain and runoff? Will the erosion controls and stormwater basins we are devising now still be useful in 30 or 50 years? What impact might climate change have for Lake Tahoe's water quality and aquatic ecology?" Schladow said.

In recent years, UC Davis researchers have drawn on 100 years of data to describe changes in temperature and precipitation that have already occurred in the Tahoe region.

The new report combines those findings with sophisticated computer models to produce detailed local projections out to the year 2100.

The scientists considered two possible future carbon emission scenarios: one business as usual, in which population growth and national and international policies affecting global climate change remain unchanged, and the other optimistic, assuming slower growth and aggressive climate action.

"While there is always some uncertainty when projecting this far into the future, the results appear reasonable," Reuter said. "They provide environmental managers and scientists with our first detailed glimpse of the potential impact of climate change on precipitation, runoff, water quality, and plant and animal resources in Lake Tahoe."

This glimpse gives scientists and resource managers a better chance of taking strategic steps to minimize coming impacts of climate change.

Those potential impacts include:

Precipitation

No strong increase in the amount of annual precipitation was predicted. However, the Tahoe Basin will see a continuing shift from snowfall to rain, as well as earlier snowmelt and runoff. Based on the modeling scenarios, by the end of the century, precipitation in some years could be all rain and no snow. The peak snowmelt in the Upper Truckee River will occur four to six weeks earlier by the end of the century.

Water flow and quality

Floods will be larger and more frequent in the middle of the century. Peak water flows in the Upper Truckee River, the largest river flowing into Lake Tahoe, will more than double, with the future 100-year flood resembling today's "1,000-year flood." Such high streamflows will threaten regional infrastructure (such as roads and bridges), the authors said.

In the case of water quality, the model simulations showed that, even though more stormwater runoff is forecast, today's best management practices will be able to accommodate the bulk of the increase. The simulations showed that predicted growth in runoff will cause only a 10 percent decline in the performance of urban stormwater control devices configured to current requirements.

Droughts

Droughts will be more severe, especially toward the end of the century and on the east side of the basin.

Truckee River water supply

Toward the end of the century, there are likely to be longer periods when the lake falls below its natural rim and water stops flowing into the Truckee River. (In the last 110 years, the lake has fallen beneath its natural rim on only 20 occasions, and only for a few months or years at a time.)

Under the "business as usual" scenario, these periods could be as long as 10 to 20 years. This would eliminate a large part of the downstream water supply for Reno, Pyramid Lake and agriculture. Under the "optimistic" scenario, these periods would last several years at a time and occur more frequently than in the past.

Lake turnover (vertical mixing)

The new analysis confirms the researchers' 2008 warning that climate change is likely to greatly alter water circulation in Lake Tahoe. By the second half of the 21st century, there are likely to be decades-long periods when the lake stops mixing to the bottom. (Historically, this complete mixing or turnover has occurred once every four years, on average.)

Turnover carries oxygen from the surface to the bottom of the lake. Without oxygen, a large part of the lake will be inhospitable to trout and other game fish.

Lake clarity may be impacted, as well. Prolonged absence of mixing could start a physical-chemical process resulting in the release of large amounts of phosphorus from the lake's bottom sediments. If this phosphorus reaches the surface, it will feed algae. Algae are one factor contributing to reduced water clarity. In addition, when algae sink to the bottom and decompose, oxygen is taken from the deep water, thus creating a downward spiral in water quality and clarity.

The authors conclude that public programs at Lake Tahoe to restore lake water quality (such as the Environmental Improvement Program and best management practices) are needed more than ever.

"The Total Maximum Daily Load program, which prioritizes fine-particle removal to improve clarity, may be the most important local action to be taken to help mitigate against climate change," Schladow said. "Phosphorus, the limiting nutrient at Lake Tahoe, will be reduced in direct proportion to the removal of fine particles, and this will help reduce the oxygen demand of the lake and increase its resilience to change."

There is little time to waste, said Robert Coats.

"Lake Tahoe is very close to at least two tipping points. First, a decrease in deep mixing could trigger abrupt changes in water quality and clarity. Second, our modeling results show that a decades-long shut-off of lake outflow by the end of the century is likely, cutting off a large part of the water supply for Reno and other downstream users."

"When we add the expected terrestrial impacts of increased drought - especially tree deaths and wildfire - it is clear that by 2100, the Tahoe Basin will be different from the one we know today," Coats concluded.

The new report has value to water resource managers beyond the Tahoe Basin, since many other lakes and reservoirs are likely to be affected by climate change. "Our team came away convinced of the value of early collaboration between the science community and regional resource managers," Reuter said.

The study was funded by the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, through the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act.

The report's research collaborators included Goloka Sahoo (UC Davis), Mike Dettinger (U.S. Geological Survey and Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego), Brent Wolfe (Northwest Hydraulic Consultants), John Riverson (Tetra Tech, Inc.) and Mariza Costa-Cabral (Hydrology Futures, LLC).

Rubber mats killing Tahoe's clams

2010-11-24T10:51:00.000-08:00

Rubber mats laid atop beds of Lake Tahoe's invading clams seem to have done their deadly job, according to reports from the Tahoe Resource Conservation District.

In early November, divers removed mats from two half-acre-sized swaths of clam-infested lake bottom. While data still are being analyzed, the test indicates the mats appear to be the most effective weapon against Tahoe's Asian clam population, experts have said.

"There are definitely lots of visibly dead clams," said Kim Boyd, an invasive species specialist with the Tahoe Resource Conservation District. "It looks very promising."

The mats, measuring 10 feet wide and 100 feet long, kill clams by robbing them of oxygen and nutrients. The mats were laid on the lake bottom in July at Marla Bay and South Lake Tahoe's Lakeside Marina.

The $648,000 experiment was built on a previous test in 2009 suggesting "bottom barriers" were effective in killing the dime-sized clams. But this one targeted them on a larger scale. Scientists first noticed Asian clams in Tahoe's waters in 2002, but they have since exploded in number, infesting a large part of the southeast corner of the lake. They also have become established on a football field-sized piece of lake bottom near the mouth of Tahoe's landmark Emerald Bay.

Clams can adversely impact Tahoe's sensitive ecology and are linked to blooms of noxious algae. A bigger danger, experts say, is that the clams could elevate calcium levels in the lake's waters to the point they could support populations of quagga or zebra mussels, which would have devastating effects on Tahoe's ecology and economy.

"The fear is Asian clams could facilitate the introduction of the quagga," said Geoffrey Schladow, director of the University of California, Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center.

Researchers now will study the areas the mats were laid to determine how quickly Asian clams recolonize on the bottom. They also want to study long-term impacts on other macroinvertebrates native to the lake, such as pea clams, Boyd said.

Other, smaller tests are planned in Marla Bay to gauge effectiveness of the mats in killing Asian clams during the winter, when cold water temperatures are thought to shut down their metabolism and make them invulnerable to this particular method of control, Boyd said. If bottom barriers still can be effectively used in winter, she said they would prove much more valuable over the long run.

By late February, researchers plan to install some barriers in Emerald Bay to determine their stability when encountering underwater turbulence produced by paddle-wheel tour boats, Boyd said. Scientists said they hope to begin using the mats to kill Emerald Bay's clams after next summer's boating season.

While the barriers appear effective, Asian clams probably will always have an unwelcome presence at Lake Tahoe, Schladow said.

"Eliminating them probably isn't feasible. Controlling them could be possible," Schladow said.

Photo: UC Davis

Funds OK'd for cloud seeding, boat inspections

2010-10-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

A program to boost the amount of snow falling during winter storms at Lake Tahoe can proceed this winter following action by the Truckee Meadows Water Authority on Oct. 20, according to news reports from the Reno Gazette-Journal.

The $155,800 approved by the Truckee Meadows Water Authority to help fund the Desert Research Institute's cloud-seeding program was among more than $723,000 worth of projects designed to protect the Truckee River and the region's water supplies.

Money also was approved to expand a program to inspect boats for the presence of mussels and other invasive species from Lake Tahoe to other area water bodies, including Boca and Stampede reservoirs.

Added to $100,000 already promised by the Western Regional Water Commission, the $155,800 approved by TMWA will ensure the program proceeds this winter.

Boat inspections
The authority also voted to provide $296,000 to begin inspecting boats for mussels and other invasive species at area lakes and reservoirs, including Boca, Stampede, Prosser Creek and Martis Creek reservoirs, as well as Donner, Independence and Weber lakes.

Boat inspections have been under way at Lake Tahoe since 2008, but experts said it's important to expand that effort to other water bodies within the Truckee River system. Inspections are anticipated to begin in May.

Lake Tahoe Concours d'Elegance returns Aug. 12-13

2010-10-24T13:44:00.000-07:00

New dates of Friday, Aug. 12, and Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011, have been announced for the 39th annual showing of the renown Lake Tahoe Concours d'Elegance wooden boat show, presented by the Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation at the Sierra Boat Company, Carnelian Bay.

"After holding the show over Father's Day weekend in 2009 and 2010, we're excited to have an agreement with Sierra Boat Company that enables us to return to our traditional August dates," Foundation President Dave Olson said. "This will get us well past all the Father's Day gatherings, and June graduations and weddings that have been conflicts for both our boat exhibitors and show attendees these past two years."

The featured Marque Class for 2011 will be a very rare but popular one: Gar Wood - the Gentleman's Runabout. First produced in 1922, these powerful and luxurious mahogany craft built by inventor, industrialist and record-setting speedboat racer Garfield A. Wood ranged in size from 22 to 33 feet, and were described as the "aristocrat of motorboats."

The Foundation also announced Rivas, the Italian synonym for distinctive style and elegance since the '50s, as the Marque Class for 2012.

Additional information on the 39th annual show and social functions of 2011 Wooden Boat Week, starting with the Opening Night Gala on Thursday, Aug. 11, will be available shortly on at http://www.laketahoeconcours.com/.

TRCD seeks new board members

2010-10-05T17:02:00.000-07:00

The South Lake Tahoe-based nonprofit environmental organization Tahoe Resource Conservation District is seeking two new board members to serve on its five-person Board of Directors. New board members, appointed by the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors, will serve voluntary, four-year terms from Nov. 30, 2010, through Nov. 30, 2014.

Interested applicants are required to reside and own property in the Lake Tahoe Basin in either Placer or El Dorado County and are asked to submit a letter of interest along with a county committee application (available online at www.co.el-dorado.ca.us) to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors by Nov. 1, 2010, to be eligible for consideration. Decisions regarding new board members are expected to be announced the week of Nov. 15, 2010.

”Tahoe RCD plays a vital role in preserving and restoring natural resources in the Lake Tahoe Basin,” said Director Dave Roberts. "And, we rely heavily on our Board to help direct our efforts and connect us with resources, stakeholders and issues within the community.”

Current board members have a diverse set of backgrounds, with experience in not-for-profit management, private business, education, resource management and real estate. Any eligible applicants with an interest in Tahoe Basin environmental and conservation issues are encouraged to apply. New applicants or anyone from the general public are invited to attend Tahoe RCD board meetings, the next of which will be held on Oct. 12, 2010.

Tahoe RCD’s mission is to promote the conservation and improvement of the Lake Tahoe Basin’s soil, water, and related natural resources by providing leadership, information, programs, and technical assistance to all land managers, owners, organizations, and residents. Tahoe RCD is a non-regulatory, grant funded, not-for-profit agency that works with a variety of partner agencies to implement programs and outreach, which currently focus on erosion control, runoff infiltration, terrestrial and aquatic invasive species control, and conservation landscaping.

For details, visit www.tahoercd.org.

Successful removal of aquatic invasive weeds in Lake Tahoe

2010-10-05T16:56:00.000-07:00

From Tahoe Resource Conservation District:

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. – Efforts to remove approximately one-third of the Eurasian watermilfoil infestation in Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay using experimental technologies has been deemed an early success.

Eurasian watermilfoil is a fast-spreading aquatic invasive weed that has been on the rise in Lake Tahoe since its introduction more than a decade ago. A partnership including Tahoe Resource Conservation District, California Department of Parks and Recreation, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center and subcontractor A.C.E. Diving covered approximately 8,500 square feet of lake bottom near the pier and swimming beach of Emerald Bay using 8’ x 40’ reusable bottom barrier strips in June and hand removal of remaining weeds. On Sept. 14, the barriers were removed to reveal just sand, with no signs of invasive weeds below the barriers.

The project’s objective was to focus efforts on the removal of a significant portion of one known, discreet infestation site, with the goal of completely removing all visible plant growth.

According to California Department of Parks and Recreation Environmental Scientist Dan Shaw, “We’re very optimistic about the initial results of this pilot project because it demonstrates that it is possible to eradicate the majority of an infestation in a specific locale. These findings will help us establish a control plan for aquatic invasive weed populations in Emerald Bay and other afflicted areas of Lake Tahoe.”

Participating resource managers are implementing a prioritized strategy for the effective removal of aquatic invasive weeds based on risk of spread, previous removal projects, public benefit and likelihood of removal success. The swimming beach and pier area in Emerald Bay was identified for the pilot project because it meets all of these criteria. Surveys will be conducted in subsequent seasons to document the long-term success of the removal efforts. It is anticipated that future control efforts will only require more limited maintenance removal to keep the swim beach and pier free of aquatic invasive weeds, greatly reducing control costs.

It is estimated that 3 acres of Eurasian watermilfoil have established in three distinct locations within Emerald Bay, near Parson's Rock, the Swim Beach and Avalanche Beach.

For more information, visit http://www.tahoercd.org/.

TRPA places hiatus on shorezone applications

2010-09-30T13:16:00.000-07:00

The bistate Tahoe Regional Planning Agency has imposed a 90-day operational hiatus on applications relating to buoys, piers and boat ramps. The decision came on Sept. 22, less than a week after a federal judge ordered the TRPA to reconsider proposed shorezone amendments.

“The hiatus will allow staff to sort out the legal and operational implications of the court ruling,” TRPA spokeswoman Julie Regan told the Sierra Sun.

The 90-day hiatus — enacted at the Sept. 22 governing board meeting at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach — means lakefront property owners cannot file applications to bring existing buoys into conformance with the agency's proposed ordinance updates on October 2008.

On Thursday, Sept. 16, U.S. District Court Senior Judge Lawrence Karlton ruled in favor of the League to Save Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Sierra Club in a challenge to the amendments, which would have allowed the placement of 1,862 new mooring buoys and construction of 128 private piers, 10 public piers, six new boat ramps and 235 boat slips on Lake Tahoe.

The conservation groups filed a lawsuit challenging the amendments in November 2008, a month after TRPA governing board approval of the amendments.

In the 66-page ruling, Karlton found several provisions in the approved amendments were “arbitrary and capricious.” The judge also found the shorezone amendments would be ineffective in achieving many of the agency's environmental goals, known as “thresholds.”

Governing board member Mara Bresnick said the direction board gave to staff, following six hours of closed session deliberation on Sept. 22, has two components.

“The internal staff will begin evaluating the ramifications of the court ruling on operations,” she said. “The other component is the legal side, where the legal committee and the legal team will consider the legal options available to the agency.”

Those options include an appeal of Karlton's order, or a motion to amend or clarify the order, Bresnick said. TRPA will have 30 days from Sept. 16 — the date the ruling was issued — to file an appeal, according to Jill Rozier with TRPA's legal team.

Tahoe Lakefront Owners Association Executive Director Jan Brisco — who represents homeowners attempting to place mooring buoys in the lake near their properties — said the hiatus is unsurprising.

“The TRPA has given themselves a cushion of time sufficient for analyzing all the available options,” Brisco said. “As one of the largest stakeholders in this matter, we will be there every step of the way and offer any help we can.”

Maritime Annex Open House

2010-09-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

The Tahoe Maritime Museum is hosting an Open House at the Truckee Annex on Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with David "Smitty" Smith. View vessels and artifacts not currently on display at the museum.

The Annex is located at 10434 River Park Place. For details, call (530) 525-9253, ext. 104, or visit www.tahoemaritimemuseum.org.

"S.S. Tahoe" model & lecture

2010-09-06T16:23:00.000-07:00

The Tahoe Maritime Museum hosts Alan J. Zulberti for a showing of his "S.S. Tahoe" model and a lecture from 11 a.m. to noon on Sept. 14. Zulberti will talke about his three-year project in building an operational model of the "S.S. Tahoe."

Built nearly 115 years after the original ship was launched at Glenbrook in 1896, the model is hand-built, has a riveted copper hull with more than 5,000 rivets and is powered by the only known twin engine steam plant. Six feet long and radio controlled, the ship provides the sounds of a steam whistle, a ships bell and steam cuffing. The model is fast with a trial run at a scale speed of 36.9 knots.

Zulberti is an active member of the San Francisco Model Yacht Club. This is his third model boat, which follows his construction of a WW II Patrol Torpedo boat, which received first place in Military and Best in Show a few years ago. The PT-588 also was the subject of a six-page feature article in a national magazine, Ships in Scale.

The model will be on hand during the slide show presentation. Lecture is free with admission. Adults $5. Members and children under 12 are free. Visit www.tahoemaritimemuseum.org.

Lodge-to-Lodge Kayak Tour

2010-09-06T16:18:00.001-07:00

Experience a multi-day kayak adventure along the Lake Tahoe Water Trail with Tahoe Adventure Company from Sept. 23 to 26.

The multi-day kayak and stay package along the West, North and East shores of Lake Tahoe features early morning guided paddles spotting local wildlife and learning the unique natural and human history of this special region. By afternoon, arrive at the lakefront hotel for a hot shower, warm meal and relaxation. The best hotels have been chosen for your comfort and include Sunnyside Lodge, Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort, and the Hyatt Regency.

Call (530) 913-9212 or visit http://www.tahoeadventurecompany.com/.

Fall Paddle Day

2010-09-06T16:17:00.000-07:00

The Lake Tahoe Water Trail Committee has set its Fall Paddle Day for Oct. 9 at Zephyr Cove Lodge. The spring paddle in May was snowed out, but you can enjoy the fall paddle. The day includes a guided paddle with researchers at the forefront of protecting Lake Tahoe from aquatic invasive species, followed by a barbecue lunch on the beach.

The cost is $30 per person and $50 per couple and includes lunch; water trail members save $5. Kayak rentals will be available on site and advance registration is required. Registration opens online on Sept. 9 at www.laketahoewatertrail.org.

Sand Harbor launch closing

2010-09-01T17:35:00.000-07:00

The public boat launch at Sand Harbor State Park on the East Shore of Lake Tahoe will be closed after Labor Day, due to low water. The parking area will remain open.

Lecture series, open house

2010-08-31T15:56:00.001-07:00

The Tahoe Maritime Museums wraps its summer lecture series on Sept. 9 with “Preserving Tahoe History Through a Camera Lens” with Peter Goin, University of Nevada Regents and Foundation Professor of Arts. The lecture starts at 5:30 p.m. with light refreshments at 5 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults and free for children under 12.

The museum also will open the doors to its massive Truckee Annex on Sept. 11. The annex is only open a few times a year for public viewing of the museum’s extensive collection. David “Smitty” Smith will be leading tours. The annex will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 and free for children under 12. The annex is located at 10434 River Park Place in Truckee. For details, visit www.tahoemaritimemusuem.org or call (530) 525-9253.

TRPA fines boater $5,000

2010-08-31T15:47:00.000-07:00

A Los Angeles resident was fined $5,000 by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency on Aug. 25 for evading Lake Tahoe boat inspectors in late-June, according to news reports.

In a unanimous decision, TRPA’s legal committee agreed to the fine and recommended that Mark Kanev of Los Angeles make a public apology for purposefully evading inspectors after his vessel was recommended for decontamination.

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency officials reported that Kanew tried to launch his vessel on June 28 at Cave Rock. Inspectors turned him away after he told inspectors that the boat had been in southern Utah's quagga-mussel-infested Sand Hollow Reservoir. After finding water in the boat, inspectors ordered a full decontamination scheduled for July 1.

Inspectors later learned that Kanew took the vessel to the Meyers inspection station on June 28 and gave different information about the boat's origin. Kanev then launched his boat at Meeks Bay. TRPA officials found the vessel moored in Rubicon Bay on July 1 and had it removed from Lake Tahoe.

The TRPA reported that the water in Meeks Bay Marina and the area the boat had been moored was tested for quagga and zebra mussel DNA. The tests indicated that no quagga or zebra mussels were present. The boater is the first to be sanctioned by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

Roadside inspections to close

2010-08-31T15:45:00.002-07:00

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency will close two of its roadside boat inspection stations in early to mid-September, according to community liaison Jeff Cowen. Roadside inspection and decontamination stations are been operating throughout the summer with four stations at Spooner Summit, Northstar, Alpine Meadows and Meyers.

The stations were set up for the mandatory inspections of quagga and zebra mussels for all vessels into Lake Tahoe. The invasive quagga and zebra species are miniscule, but can wreak havoc on the Lake if they are introduced. These mussels, which are hitching rides on boats and trailers and in ballast tanks, bladders and live wells, are spreading across the West. Quagga and zebra mussels will spread rapidly once they are introduced to a lake and will gorge on the food supply, kill fish and pollute the clarity of the lake.

The Spooner Summit station on Highway 50 will operate until Sept. 7, with the Alpine Meadows Road station off Highway 89 closing Sept. 15. Roadside stations at Northstar and in Meyers will operate until Sept. 30. The stations are open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

However, mandatory inspections will continue through the winter at all open launch sites. The addition of roadside inspection stations to the Lake Tahoe AIS Program have been funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For details on the mandatory boat inspections, visit www.protecttahoe.org or call (888) 824-6267.

Staff changes at museum

2010-08-31T15:45:00.001-07:00

The departure of Heather Leonard, director of operations, this month from the Tahoe Maritime Museum will bring some staff changes to the museum. Heather, who was been a valued addition to the museum and the community, will be relocating with her husband to Houston later this month.

While the museum looks for a permanent director, Richard Lashbrook, a long-time Friend of the Museum, volunteer and member since 2001 will take the helm as Interim Director.

Patty Williams has joined the staff as development associate, and Heather Laederich, a part-time summer staff associate, has accepted a full-time role as exhibits associate.

Water shuttle shutters

2010-08-31T15:43:00.000-07:00

Get On Tahoe, the water shuttle started earlier this summer by the Tahoe Diver’s Conservancy, has shuttered its service due to lack of interest. The Tahoe Diver’s Conservancy reported that it had to stop service after low ticket sales and a lack of access to marinas and docks around the Lake. The shuttle offered service on the North and East shores.

Lake Tahoe clarity steady in 2009

2010-08-24T12:53:00.000-07:00

Lake Tahoe clarity held steady in 2009 for the ninth year in a row, but remains significantly poorer than in previous decades, according to UC Davis scientists who have monitored the lake for more than 40 years.

The lake was clear to an average depth of 68.1 feet in 2009, the researchers found.
That’s down from 102.4 feet in 1968, when UC Davis researchers first measured the lake’s clarity.

Geoff Schladow, director of the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, said the latest test results may be cause for some optimism.

Even though precipitation was much higher in 2009 than in 2008 or 2007, the annual average clarity remained relatively stable, Schladow noted. Rainfall and snowmelt wash water-clouding particles into the lake.

Another hopeful finding: 2009 summer clarity readings were much better than 2008 summer readings. Overall, clarity during the summer months of 2009 was 10 feet better than in summer of 2008.

UC Davis researchers measure the lake's clarity throughout the year by lowering a white Secchi disk, named after its inventor, Italian scientist Angelo Secchi, at two fixed locations. The depth at which the disk, the size of a dinner plate, disappears from sight is referred to as the Secchi depth, a measurement of clarity. For more information, visit http://news.ucdavis.edu./

Invasive species forum

2010-08-23T12:54:00.001-07:00

The Truckee Region Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program is the topic of a Sept. 3 meeting to gather input for a draft strategic plan. The plan will recommend required mandatory inspections of all motorized watercraft on Donner Lake and Boca, Stampede and Prosser Creek reservoirs beginning as early as next summer.

The forum is at 7:30 p.m. at the Truckee Community Center. For more information, call Craig Threshie at (530) 550-5252 or e-mail cthreshie@tahoercd.org.

Lake Explorations lecture

2010-08-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

Tahoe Maritime Museum hosts its next lecture series on Aug. 26 featuring Martin McClellan from New Millennium Dive Expeditions at 5:30 p.m. to discuss “Lake Explorations.”

On July 20, 2002, New Millennium Dive Expeditions reached the scuttled “S.S. Tahoe” in 400’ of water off Glenbrook in a record-setting high-altitude dive. New Millennium aided in the effort to have the site named to the National Register of Historic Places, the first such designation in the country.

Refreshments will be served at 5 p.m. The lecture series is $8 for adults and free for children under 12. For details, visit http://www.tahoemaritimemusuem.org/.

Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival

2010-08-18T17:04:00.001-07:00

The Lake Tahoe Paddleboard Association hosts a number of events throughout the year, with the upcoming Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival on Aug. 21 and 22. The festival features six races starting in Kings Beach with $20,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs.

Races include prone, SUP and OC1 classes for a 10-mile distance race, 6-mile open class and Elite 14’ Class, 3-mile buoy race and a four-person SUP Team Relay for 6 miles. There also is a 1-mile race for ages 12 and under. Enjoy a luau and live concert from 5 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 21.

Entry fees range from $30 to $100, depending on the race. World Paddle Association and LTPA members receive a 10 percent discount for races. The luau and concert on Aug. 21 is $30 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. For details or to register, visit www.ta-hoenalu.com or e-mail ernie@ta-hoenalu.com. E-mail to volunteer, as well.

The art of paddleboarding

2010-08-18T16:56:00.000-07:00

OK, there’s really not an art to paddleboarding. It takes a little balance, some fineness and a love of being on the water. Give it a try and you’ll pick it up pretty quick.

What the sport does have is a legion of die-hard fans that are in love with Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, as it’s called.

The attraction is obvious, even if you haven’t tried it. Come on, you know you stare at paddleboarders when you see them. You yell questions to them from the beach and piers, from kayaks, boats and personal watercraft. Everyone is fascinated by the sport. So, what are you waiting for? Give it a try.

Here are the basics: You stand up on a paddleboard – a modified surf board at its roots – and you paddle across the water. Flat water or rolling, ocean, stream or lake, you can paddleboard.

On a busy weekend at any of the hot spots for beach-lovers, you’ll see every age, every physique and every ability level on a paddleboard.

Age isn’t a factor, either. If you can stand, you can paddleboard. Having trouble getting up? Try again. The trick is to balance on the board.

And, it doesn’t even have to be warm to paddleboard. You can paddleboard year-round, as many locals do. You also can have someone kneel on the front of your board, including your dog, if he/she listens better than my dogs.

Paddleboarding has its roots in the Hawaiian Islands and was born from surf instructors standing on their boards and using paddles while teaching large groups to surf. It eventually evolved into its own sport and started to become popular on the mainland about a decade ago. Now, there are competitions around the world, including many popular ones in Tahoe, with an industry of hybrid boards, gear and magazines devoted to the sport.

Getting started

Head to the beach – nearly any beach around – and rent a paddleboard. I recently made a stop at Tahoe Paddle & Oar in Kings Beach to rent two standup paddleboards for me and my pal Emily Sullivan. We signed up and headed to the beach across the street, where we were handed our paddles and personal flotation devices, PFDs. The length of the paddle is based on your height.

We walked down to the water where are paddleboards were waiting for us. A paddleboard looks much like a surfboard with a fin, and many rentals are outfitted with a bungee cord on one end to stash your PFD and shoes.

Here’s something I learned: The U.S. Coast Guard classifies a paddleboard as a vessel, and you are therefore required to carry a PFD. It also means that all paddleboarders 12 and under must wear a PFD (under 13 in Nevada).

The trickiest part is standing up on the board. The goal once you stand up is to have your feet shoulder’s width apart and centered on the board near the handle or slightly in front of it.

If the water is shallow enough, and with a little practice, you can just step onto the board. I have not mastered this technique yet. So, you want to kneel on your board with your knees over the handle and shoulder’s width apart. Hold the paddle in one hand, put one foot flat on the board while using your hands to balance. Then, put the other foot flat on the board and stand up. Don’t step forward, back or to the side. You’ll end up in the water.

Also, don’t plant your paddle in the sand and use it to push your body up to stand. It’s harder, you’ll probably fall and you really look silly doing it. Just plant your feet right where you’re kneeling, and, voila, you’re up.

It will feel a little strange at first as the movement of the water under your feet has you wobbling. But, you’re more steady than it feels your first time out.

If the water is too shallow for your fin to clear the sand, you’ll have to paddle out with your arms or the paddle. Get in the kneeling position and paddle until you’re clear.

You also can kneel or lie on your stomach to paddleboard – known as prone paddleboarding. Tahoe Paddle & Oar also rents prone boards and they’re made to lay or kneel on. There are even prone categories for competitors.

Now, that you’re up, it’s time to paddle. Wrap your hand over the grip of the paddle with your other hand on the shaft, no more than shoulder’s wide apart. Also, for stand-up paddleboarding, the curve of the blade is pointing toward the nose of the board. Then, you want a gentle vertical sweep of the paddle. If you reach out, you’ll fall. Use gentle strokes while you get the feel of the board.

You want to stay loose and go with the waves; don’t be stiff. You’ll want a slight bend in your knees and don’t bend over to paddle; you’ll get a sore back.

Switch your paddle from side to side to keep the board heading straight. You can turn by paddling at an angle, just like kayaking, or you can back paddle, a new trick Emily taught me.

Hold your paddle in the water to stop it from moving forward, then gently back paddle to pivot the front of the board in the direction you want. Then, resume paddling. Nice trick, Emily.

You can move pretty fast on the board, or go as slow as you want. We ventured from Kings Beach heading west passing the beaches and private homes, past North Tahoe Marina, Wild Goose Restaurant and the Holliday House before turning back. We answered questions from curious onlookers on piers and in kayaks, and enjoyed the beautiful sunny morning.

Mornings are the best time when the water is at its calmest on Lake Tahoe, but with a little practice, wind and waves won’t stop your paddle adventure.

Tahoe Paddle & Oar is located in Kings Beach at 8299 N. Lake Blvd. They offer daily rentals for stand-up and prone paddleboards, kayaks, surfboards and canoes. Stand Up Tahoe offers guided paddleboard tours through Tahoe Paddle & Oar, as well.

For rental information, call (530) 581-3029 or visit http://www.tahoepaddle.com./ Tahoe Paddle & Oar also offers a Women’s Stand-Up Paddleboarding clinic on Wednesdays and Saturdays. For paddleboard tours with Stand Up Tahoe, call (530) 318-0885.

The joy of sailing

2010-08-18T16:49:00.001-07:00

I love to sail. There’s something about the wind in the sails and the quietness of the water around you, the feel of control (or lack of it) when you’re easing out or trimming the sails, the way the tiller feels in your hands, I love everything about sailing.

Years ago, my friend Leigh introduced me to sailing, and I fell in love with it. We would go out often, and he would show me a few things, but I never really understood how to sail.

So, I decided to take a class. I’ve put it off for years, letting other commitments take precedence over the sailing class. But, this year, I was determined to take a class. Luckily, Truckee Donner Parks and Rec had a recent opening in the adult sailing class and I joined two other would-be sailors – Lauri Wall of Truckee and Martin Bessolo of San Rafael – for a weekend learning to sail on Donner Lake.

We met at West End Beach with instructor James Foster, for some class time on the beach. But, the best way to learn to sail, is to do it.

We loaded onto a pedal boat (yes, a pedal boat) to head over to the district’s 21’ Macgregor sailboat for class. The parts of a sailboat are many and each with a unique name, we discovered as class got under way. Fortunately, most people in Tahoe have spent time on a boat, so the basics of bow vs. stern (front of the boat vs. the back of the boat), port (left) and starboard (right) and hull are familiar terms. But, jib, headstay, mainsheet, boom vang, tack, luff, padeye and halyard had us all stumped at the start. James was patient and will we learned the parts, then moved on to practicing knots we would need to sail – the figure 8, the bowline, a square knot (to tie two pieces of rope together), the cleat and clove hitch, along with coiling rope. I never thought knots could be so much fun.

With our knots ready to go, we started to rig the boat. First, the jib sail to the jib halyard (attaching it to the mast) and the jib sheet (the ropes we’ll use to sail with). Next, attaching the mainsail to the main halyard (again to the mast), feeding the sail into the boom. Now, we were ready to get under way.

We used the motor to clear the shoreline and raised the sails. James started at the tiller directing us when to trim (tighten) and when to ease out the sheets on the jib and main. We each practiced when and how to trim and eased out on the sheets.

The constantly shifting winds of our first day on Donner Lake had us tacking throughout the day – changing direction to find the wind. For a small lake like Donner, we spent a good portion of the day zigzagging across the lake, tacking to change our direction to follow the wind.

With those basics down, the three of each took turns rotating through the positions: tiller, mainsail and jib, while James coached us. It’s a delicate balance of easing out on the sails to find the wind and trimming them to maximize your position. At the tiller, you’re at the helm, keeping your eye out for the wind direction, while watching out for obstacles and overseeing a tack or jibe (changing direction depending on where the wind is coming from).

When you’re working the sheets or the tiller, something comes over you. A serene peace on the water, that also is a thrilling adventure as you try to marry wind and water using sails and ropes to carry the boat. You have to learn to sail, but you also have to feel it.

We learned to watch the water, the wind and the sails. But, it’s the indescribable feel of the tiller when the wind catches the sail in the perfect spot, or when the sails start to luff and you have to navigate back to catch the wind.

Over the course of the two-day class, we spent 90 percent of our time sailing. From practicing Man Overboard drills – using a Figure 8 sailing maneuver – to jibing (changing direction with the wind behind you), to experiencing the bliss we each felt as we took the tiller and the wind filled the sails, the class was amazing.

I felt confident of my new-found knowledge and abilities, and am ready to spend more time sailing this summer. Now, if I can only get Santa to bring me a sailboat this year.

(Photo: James Foster)

Tahoe Vista boat launch closing

2010-08-05T11:02:00.001-07:00

The public boat launch at Tahoe Vista will be closing on Aug. 9, due to low water levels, according to NTPUD officials.

Water levels are extremely low outside the harbor, NTPUD said in a press realease, advising boaters to use other launches at Sand Harbor and Lake Forest.

The ramp is open from noon to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday to Sunday, until it closes for the season on Aug. 9.

For details, visit www.northtahoeparks.com.

“Deadliest Catch” talk

2010-07-30T15:24:00.000-07:00

Cpt. Monte, along with his brother Cpt. Keith Colburn, of “Wizard” will be speaking at the Silver Legacy in Reno from 4 to 6 p.m. The talk will include a video presentation, questions and answers, autograph signing and “Wizard” merchandise will be available for purchase. The talk is free. For details, call (775) 329-4777.

Photo: Cpt. Monte Colburn

Wooden Boat Classic

2010-07-30T15:23:00.000-07:00

This year the boat show will feature more than 65 antique and classic boats and will be honoring the 70^th birthday of the “Thunderbird,” complete with birthday cake. View amazing '60s drag race boats including “Golden Komotion.” And, the Tahoe Maritime Museum will be offering free wooden boat rides if you sign up for membership at the show (you’ll need to sign up for more than the basic level).

You also can enjoy wine tastings, food and vendor booths and more. Tickets are $20 at the gate, with discounted tickets available at Raley’s, Nob Hill or Bel Air Family Market in Nevada or California. For details, visit www.tahoewoodenboats.com.

Gathering of Gar Woods

2010-07-13T19:56:00.001-07:00

The 16th Annual Gathering of Gar Woods will be held on July 24 at Obexer’s Marina in Homewood. The Gathering is the only boat show that exclusively celebrates the boats built by Garfield Wood. The show starts at 10:30 a.m., with a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. For details, visit www.westernrunabouts.com.

Water ski weekend

2010-07-13T19:51:00.000-07:00

Water ski and wakeboard enthusiasts are hoping to bring the annual Water Ski Carnival back to the West Shore and are hoping to drum up interest by hosting festivities in Homewood next week including a water ski and wakeboarding exhibition, at a roundtable talk and exhibit at the Tahoe Maritime Museum.

Water skiing was invented in 1922 by Ralph Samuelson of Lake City, Minnesota, but it didn’t take hold on the West Coast until the 1930s. The first water ski exposition was held at Lake Tahoe in 1940, with the Tahoe Yacht Club organizing the first Water Ski Carnival at Chamber’s Landing in 1953.

The carnival featured water skiing, slalom skiing, trick skiing and aquaplane competitions, according to Warren Fallat, an organizer for this year’s Water Ski Weekend. Aquaplanes were popular in the 40s, and were basically a board a skier would stand on while holding two ropes being pulled behind a boat. In the 1970s, the carnival expanded to include Delta Wing Kites, with a water skier skiing behind a boat with a kite, which looks like a hang glider. The skier would compete with the kites in a slalom course. Today, the sport has evolved to include wakeboarding and wakeskating.

The Water Ski Carnival continued on the West Shore, usually at Chamber’s or in Homewood, through the late 90s, before it ended, Fallat said, due to operating costs and the lack of an organizing group. Now, water ski enthusiasts are hoping to the return the Carnival to the West Shore in the coming years.

“Most of the water ski history is from the West Shore because it’s ideally suited for water skiing,” Fallat said, because of weather conditions. With high winds on the East and North shores, the coves of the West Shore provide better conditions for water skiing.

The roundtable on July 22 at 5:30 p.m. at the Maritime Museum will feature local water skiing experts including Lee Schmidt of High Sierra Water Ski School; Randy Walker, a founder of the Water Ski Carnival; Les Bartlett, who operated one of the first water ski schools on the North Shore in the 1950s; Ron Rupp, who also ran a water ski school in the 50s; and Mary Jo Miller Shepherd, a renowned water skier. Admission to the talk is $8 and free to museum members and children under 12. There will be refreshments served at 5 p.m.

On July 23, the museum hosts the On-the-Water Exhibition from 8 to 10 a.m. in Homewood off Obexer’s Marina with trick skiing, double skiing, slalom skiing, wakeboarding and wakeskating demonstrations. There will be an announcer for the event, and spectators can watch from the beach or pier at Obexer’s, or may come by boat.

On July 24, visitors can enjoy free admission to the Maritime Museum from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Living History Day. There also will be a temporary water ski exhibit in the parking lot with a Ski Nautique and other historical items for the day.

There will be free activities for kids with face painting and more. And, enjoy guided tours at noon and 2 p.m.
There also will be a raffle at all three events to benefit the museum with prizes including a Standup Paddleboard rental, a wakeboard and a tubing setup. Tickets are available at the museum. Call (530) 525-9523.

Organizers hope the weekend generates interest to bring the carnival back.

“It’s not necessarily on the table, but it’s certainly on the wish list,” Fallat says.

(Photo: Warren Fallat. Historic photo: Tahoe Maritime Museum)

Killing invasive clams

2010-07-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

Lake Tahoe scientists at the University of California, Davis, and the University of Nevada, working with government and conservation organizations, began a novel attempt last week to control the dime-sized Asian clam, which threatens lake clarity.

First observed in the lake in 2002, the Asian clam population in some places now has reached thousands per square yard, mainly along the California-Nevada state line in the southeast corner of the lake.

Once it takes hold, the Asian claim displaces native claims, snails and other organisms relying on the lake clarity, and they foster the growth of green algae, which impacts lake clarity. As well, the clams can foster the invasion of quagga mussels, according to scientists.

The effort to kill the claims involves installing an acre of rubber sheeting on the lake bottom to kill the clams by depriving them of oxygen. The sheeting will remain in place all summer.

That study and the results of this year's acre-scale experiment will be used to help Tahoe Basin agencies develop a clam management strategy.

(Photo: UC Davis)

Living "The Deadliest Catch"

2010-07-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

Rolling seas in the frigid waters of the Bering Sea, temperatures that are regularly 30 below and thousands of pounds of steel pots that must be hauled every day – it’s just part of a day’s work for the crew of “Wizard,” one of the featured crab boats on the Discovery Channel’s hit series “Deadliest Catch.”

Capt. Monte Colburn, a lifelong resident of Tahoe and relief captain of “Wizard,” shared some stories and words of wisdom recently at the Tahoe Maritime Museum’s lecture series.

Born in South Lake Tahoe, Colburn and his brother Keith – captain of “Wizard” – moved to the North Shore in the early 1970s, and still call Tahoe home. While the brothers spend the winters crabbing in the Bering Sea, they enjoy the warmer climate of Tahoe each summer.

Cpt. Monte has enjoyed his fair share of adventures working on the crab boats of the Bering Sea, sandwiched between Russia and the United States with the Arctic to the north and the Pacific to the south. Last season he suffered two broken ribs, but has back on “Wizard” after only two weeks.

While he says that he now enjoys the competitive side of crabbing, he didn’t always enjoy it. “I had my first trip, I hated it, I hated my brother for getting me the job,” he says with a laugh. “I got the first check and said I could do it again.”

Despite the physical demands of the job, Cpt. Monte says it’s a job he’s enjoyed since his brother got him his first job on a crab boat in the mid-1980s. He then proceeded to fall into the sea between two crab boats and after hoisting himself onto a buoy, decided to call for help to get back on the ship in case his attempt wasn’t successful.

He worked on “Juno” from the early to late-90s before joining “Wizard” about 10 years ago. “Wizard” has been featured as part of “The Deadliest Catch” for the last three seasons.

“Wizard” is a 155-foot crab boat that began its life as a Navy yard oiler, giving her a large hold that can hold 450,000 lbs. of crab. There is an eight-person crew including Monte as relief captain and his brother Keith as captain, along with first mate, engineer and deck hands. “Wizard” works 24-hours-a-day, with two guys always in their bunks, rotating every six hours.

“Once we start fishing, we don’t stop,” he says.

“The Bering Seas has a way of swallowing people … it takes them in many ways,” Monte said after being asked about the death of Cpt. Phil Harris of “Cornelia Marie” in February from a stroke. Monte says crabbing can be a dangerous job, but the lifestyle, the stress and the poor diets aboard the boats also can threaten their lives. He noted that they are making more of an effort aboard “Wizard” to prepare healthy dinners.

Discovery Channel begin shooting the series in 2005, and off the more than 200 crab boats in the fleet, the few featured in the first season were chosen because they were willing to put up with the camera crew, Monte says. Discovery wasn’t paying, and most of the boats that they approached didn’t want to take on the crews, and care for and feed them. A few said yes and were featured in the early seasons.

“They are in the way … but, they’re all good guys,” Monte said of having the camera crew on board. But, he said almost all of them are extreme cameramen, some of whom have been to the Himalayas, and can handle the harsh conditions.

“The Deadliest Catch” is now seen in 135 countries and has been recognized all over the world from the show, which shoots 18 episodes each year.

“A lot of people don’t get a lot of adventure in their lives,” Monte said of the show’s popularity, where fans can enjoy the adventure he lives.

While the Bering Sea calls Monte to its waters each year, Lake Tahoe calls him home every summer, where he lives from the spring to mid-August.

“I can’t imagine a better place to grow up and also to reside,” he says.

Another crab boat captain that also lived in Tahoe once told him: “When it comes to Tahoe, all our called, but few are chosen.”

These are just a few of the tales Monte shared in a riveting talk at the museum. If you missed it, visit http://www.discovery.com/ where you can see video clips from past seasons. The sixth season is currently airing on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. Visit the Web site for a schedule.

(Photos: Cpt. Monte Colburn)

Tahoe's grand dame: "Thunderbird"

2010-07-13T19:33:00.000-07:00

Lake Tahoe’s brilliant waters call many to her from the casual beachgoers to kayakers and standup paddleboarders, from fishers to sailors and boaters. None are more spectacular, however, that the beautifully and lovingly preserved wooden boats that populate her waters in the summer.

Who hasn’t stopped what they’re doing and marveled at these wooden beauties when they pass by, filled with passengers donning large grins (and often chilled cocktails) and captained by proud owners in straw hats or yacht caps. No boat garners so much attention, however, as the “Thunderbird” yacht, the magnificent boat commissioned by the eccentric George Whittell Jr.

While not the largest wooden boat on the Lake (that honor belongs to the “Safari Rose;” see story in this edition), it is the most magnificent. Whittell commissioned the 55’ Hacker Craft in 1939 specifically for his East Shore estate and requested that the hull and cockpit resemble the fuselage of his DC-2 aircraft, also named “Thunderbird.” He also had twin, V-12, 550 hp Kermath engines installed on her. The engines were later replaced with two V-12 Allison aircraft engines, each with 1,100 hp, by casino magnate Bill Harrah, when he purchased the boat from Whittell.

If you’re ever out on the Lake when “Thunderbird” is under way, you’ll likely hear her before she comes into view. The roaring aircraft engines have you instinctively look to the sky before checking the water. The engines are deafening, however, when “Thunderbird” first starts up inside her boathouse.

I recently enjoyed my second ride on “Thunderbird” as she made her way to Carnelian Bay for the annual Concours d’Elegance. It was a beautiful brisk morning with blue skies and calm waters as I drove down the East Shore to the Thunderbird Lodge. Finally, summer had arrived.

I talked with some of the other guests before we boarded the “Thunderbird” for our morning commute to Sierra Boat Company. While the sound was deafening inside the boathouse, the small group was all smiles aboard the magnificent beauty. The mahogany and stainless steel shimmered in the morning sun as we emerged from the boathouse.

While a chase boat captured photographs and video footage of “Thunderbird” in front of the lodge, we waved to the visitors at the lodge, while the crew served drinks from the bar. Everything aboard “Thunderbird” is a study in elegance. Instrument panels shine in the twin pilot houses – one in the rear for guiding her in and out of dock, and one in the front for when she is under way. Mahogany glimmers from the bottom to the top of the boat. There are two leather half-circle couches in the salon with ample room for at least 10 people. The Yacht Ensign flies from the stern, with the California and Nevada flags flanking the “Thunderbird” flag flying above the pilot house in the back.

On the open deck, chairs and benches are set out to take in the full majesty of “Thunderbird.”

Don Mechals and his wife from South Lake Tahoe were among the passengers on board. Don crafted two new tables that double as benches for “Thunderbird.” The teak tables with intricate grate-pattern tops were based on an existing table on the yacht.

Also on board were Greg and Cinda Rice from Michigan. Greg has spent the last two years working on a radio-controlled model of “Thunderbird.” While he’s made use of the Lodge’s archives to research the model, it was his first time to see her in person. Now that he’s seen “Thunderbird” up close, Greg’s says he’ll have to redo some things on his model and anticipates another one to two years of work.

“Thunderbird” is crewed by Capt. Dave Marion and First Mate Mark Taylor , and she is licensed to carry up to 20 passengers.

Her future on Tahoe is not secured, however, explained Bill Watson, manager and curator of the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society. With operating costs of $200,000 to $300,000 annually (about $5,000 for an hour), an endowment of $1 to $1.5 million is needed in the next 18 months to ensure “Thunderbird” stays on Lake Tahoe, he said.

“This is America’s most valuable wooden express commuter boat,” Bill says. But, the high cost of maintaining and operating “Thunderbird” at Lake Tahoe puts a drain on the resources of the Lodge.

“It’s going to take the community to keep her here,” he says.

“Thunderbird” is currently owned by the nonprofit Foundation 36, which is dedicated to preserving Nevada’s historic, cultural and natural treasures. The Foundation hopes to transfer ownership to the Preservation Society once an endowment is established to secure the yacht’s future.

Appraised at $5 million, Bill says he regularly receives offers to buy the yacht, but that the Foundation is dedicated to keeping “Thunderbird” on Lake Tahoe. Community support, and, most importantly, donations, are needed to make that a reality, Bill says. The Foundation relies on a few large donations each year to maintain “Thunderbird,” but more is needed.

“The endowment will ensure ‘Thunderbird’ stays at the Lodge, and the Lodge needs to stay open to the public,” Bill says. “Tahoe’s history is rich, but there isn’t much of it left.”

So, get out your checkbooks to help save this grand dame of Lake Tahoe.

“Thunderbird” celebrates her 70th birthday on July 30 and 31 at the South Tahoe Wooden Boat Classic at Tahoe Keys Marina, complete with birthday cake. For details on the show, visit www.acbs-tahoe.org.

“Thunderbird” is available for public viewing in her boathouse at Thunderbird Lodge, which is open for tours from Tuesday to Saturday through mid-October. You can see a video of “Thunderbird” on the Web site at www.thunderbirdlodge.org under History.

"Miss Tahoe" rides

2010-07-12T16:13:00.000-07:00

One of the benefits of membership to the Tahoe Maritime Museum is a ride aboard the classic wooden boat "Miss Tahoe," for membership starting at the $100 level.

Rides are offered every Thursday and Sunday through Aug. 29 at 5 p.m. I enjoyed an evening cruise on Lake Tahoe on "Miss Tahoe," and it's a joy not to be missed.

You can reach the museum at (530) 525-9253. Or, visit www.tahoemaritimemusuem.org.

Saving Tahoe's grand dame

2010-07-12T16:10:00.000-07:00

Tahoe Vista Rec. Area launch opens

2010-06-24T14:20:00.000-07:00

Kings Beach, CA – The boat launch at Tahoe Vista Recreation Area opened on June 24, and will remain open as long as water levels allow. The launch will be open:

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Noon to 6:30 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Inspectors will be present during these hours to serve those wishing to launch. Hours may change from time to time throughout the Summer but will be posted at the launch. Check the Boat Launching page of the North Tahoe Parks Web site at www.northtahoeparks.com for current operating hours once the launch has opened.

The boat launch basin at Tahoe Vista Recreation Area was dredged this Spring to the maximum depth allowed by Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board to allow for construction of courtesy docks that will be constructed in the basin this year.

Boaters should exercise caution because low lake levels continue in spite of the late storms and shallow conditions just outside the launch basin will continue to be a concern for larger boats. There will be a “launch at your own risk rule” in place and boat owners are advised to be cautious when accessing the lake.

At this time, low water levels do not allow Coon Street Boat Launch to be open for use. If water levels improve and certified boat inspectors are available to staff this location, the launch will open. Updates on both launch ramps will be posted on the Boat Launch page of the Parks Web site.

Capt. Monte at Maritime Museum

2010-06-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

Capt. Monte Colburn, the relief captain and mate, aboard the fishing boat “Wizard” featuring on the hit Discovery Channel series “Deadliest Catch,” will be the guest speaker on June 24 at 5:30 p.m. as part of the Tahoe Maritime Museum’s summer lecture series.

Concours d’Elegance

2010-06-16T16:26:00.001-07:00

Vintage fiberglass boats will be featured at the 38^th Annual Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance from June 18 to 20 at Sierra Boat Company in Carnelian Bay. The marquee class is Classic Glass, showcasing some of the first fiberglass boats made. Entries in this featured category will be judged in two subclasses: Transitional Fiberglass, to include boats manufactured with wood hulls and fiberglass accessories; and Full Fiberglass, boats manufactured primarily out of fiberglass.

Featuring a display of wooden boats, along with live music, vendors, raffles, food and beverages, the show features a VIP day on June 18 from noon to 4 p.m., with open admission on June 19 and 20. VIP tickets are $100 and include a catered lunch, complimentary drinks and wood boat rides. The show is open June 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 20. Tickets are $30 for a one-day pass or $35 for a two-day pass. Children under 12 years are admitted free. For details and tickets, visit www.laketahoecouncours.com.

(Photo: Steve Lapkin, www.h2omark.com)

Sailing classes

2010-06-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

Truckee Donner Parks & Rec will be offering sailing classes for adults, families and children starting in June at Donner Lake. Sailing Camps for ages 8 to 17 will be offered in four-day sessions starting June 28 and running through Aug. 16, with sailing classes for adults and families running in July and August.

As well, sailing race clinics will be offered for all ages in July to correspond with the Wednesday Night Race Series open to everyone from June 30 to Aug. 18. All of the classes are offered on Donner Lake. To register or for more information, call (530) 582-7720.

Tahoe City Parks & Rec also offers sailing classes for adults, children and women on the North and West shores. Youth Sailing classes for ages 8 to 17 will be offered from June 21 to Aug. 16, with Youth Racing Clinics in July and a Junior Race Clinic on June 25. A Monday Night Advanced Race Team for 8- to 17-year-olds runs from June 28 to Aug. 16 on Mondays.

Adult sailing classes are offered in July, along with a Women’s Sailing course on July 9 and 23. To register or for more information, call (530) 583-3440, ext. 10.

Water shuttle service starts

2010-05-28T11:21:00.000-07:00

Faced with a cut in funding from the state of California and recognizing a need for waterborne transit on Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe Divers Conservancy decided to offer water shuttle service to cover the expenses of its organization.

The “Blue Warrior” with a capacity for 20 people started its waterborne shuttle service on June 1, ferrying passengers from Tahoe City to the East Shore and back.

After a cut in funding in 2009, the group needed a $20,000 loan to maintain its operations, said Capt. Mechele Duhamel, who manages the shuttle. But, with the cost of buoys, fuel, insurance and other expenses, that was quickly eaten up. The group’s solution – provide a water shuttle that would cover its costs, pay back its loan and build a reserve.

“It seems to make sense,” Duhamel says. “The divers use the boat to do cleanup work and we thought we could make money off it.”

The shuttle service will be offered depending on demand, with a minimum of five passengers needed to run. Duhamel says passengers will need to call ahead to make reservations to ensure the shuttle is running, but that the group expects to operate Tuesday to Sunday by July.

“We’ll see how much people want it,” she said.

The shuttle will run starting at the Groove Street Pier in Tahoe City at 9:30 a.m. and make stops in Carnelian Bay, Kings Beach, Incline Village, Hidden Beach and Sand Harbor, with return stops in the afternoon. A complete schedule is available online.

Prices vary depending on the trip from $50 per person for a 3.5-hour tour aboard the boat. Or, if you want a ride to and from parts of the North and East Shores, fees range from $25 to $35 per person. Passengers will be picked up/dropped off by dingy at several locations or at public piers and are welcome to bring picnic baskets and coolers if they want to spend the day on the beach. Duhamel says they’ll even tow your kayak, if you want a ride down the East Shore and to kayak back on your own.

The shuttle’s proceeds will be used to fund the Tahoe Divers Conservancy efforts to eradicate curlyleaf pondweed and Eurasian watermilfoil that’s infested Emerald Bay and parts of South Lake Tahoe. The divers use UV tarps to cover the invasive plants on the lake bottom; depriving them of sunlight kills the plants. All of the work by the Divers Conservancy, including operating the shuttle, is done by volunteers.

As well, the Divers Conservancy has a 10-year lease at Patton Beach in Carnelian Bay to operate the Blue Warrior Café.

For more information on the Divers Conservancy, visit www.alpengroup.org/tahoe-divers-conservancy. For more information on the shuttle or to purchase a ticket, visit www.getontahoe.com. Private charter service also is available.

Fuel leak cleanup

2010-05-28T11:16:00.002-07:00

A tanker truck carrying diesel fuel overturned on eastbound Interstate 80 near Donner Summit around 6 p.m. on May 26 in icy road conditions. The tanker is estimated to have spilled about 2,500 gallons of fuel, with some fuel making it to Summit Creek at the western mouth of Donner Lake.

Emergency clean-up crews used booms, skimmers, absorbent pads and other methods to clean the spill, but the long-time environmental impacts were unknown. None of the local drinking water supplies are threatened by the spill. For the latest information, visit www.sierrasun.com

Sailing classes

2010-05-28T11:16:00.001-07:00

Adult sailing classes are offered in July, along with a Women’s Sailing course on July 9 and 23. To register or for more information, call (530) 583-3440, ext. 10.

Outrigger Canoeing

2010-05-28T11:15:00.000-07:00

Experience the sport of outrigger canoe paddling on Donner Lake in a six-class session from June 5 to July 10. The class also is available for drop-ins, if space permits.

Learn the history of the Hawaiian outriggers, technique and team dynamics. Open to ages 16 and older. Register by calling (530) 582-7720.

Coon Street launch closed

2010-05-21T17:51:00.000-07:00

North Tahoe Public Utility District recently announced that the Coon Street boat launch will be closed again this season due to low Lake levels.

The Tahoe Vista Recreation Area boat launch, however, will be open this season. A schedule will be announced soon. Visit www.ntpud.org.

Opening Day on the Lake

2010-05-21T13:56:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day marks the kick off of the summer season in Tahoe, and the West Shore Association hosts a weekend full of events to commemorate the start of the boating season with Opening Day on the Lake from May 27 to 31.

This five-day extravaganza features everything from barbecues and deck opening parties to museum and historic site tours, open houses and the much-anticipated Sea Plane Splash In, an event enjoyed from the beach or on your boat. For details, visit www.tahoewestshoreassoc.com.

May 27: Tonight features the kick off of the Tahoe Maritime Museum’s lecture series featuring a presentation on sea planes and the significance on Lake Tahoe history with Lou Reinkens and fellow aviation enthusiasts at 5 p.m. Cost is $8 for adults and free for children under 12. Call (530) 525-9253.

May 28: The day kicks off with the annual West Shore Clean up from 8 a.m. to noon starting from the Homewood North Lodge, followed by a Deck Opening Party at Sunnyside Resort from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a live band and raffle from 2 to 6 p.m. Chamber’s Landing hosts its annual Pier Opening Party from 5 p.m. to closing. Both restaurants offer options to pull your boat up for a bite to eat or a drink, with limited space at Sunnyside.

May 29-31: Tahoma Meadows Bed & Breakfast hosts a reservation-only breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. each day. Call (530) 525-1553.

Everyone can enjoy tours of the Ehrman Mansion at Sugar Pine Point State Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and at Vikingsholm Castle at Emerald Bay State Park from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. JMA/Homewood Mountain Resort hosts an Open House at the Preview Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. And, the Tahoe Maritime Museum hosts a guided tour at 2 p.m. free with admission for $5 or free for members and kids under 12 on Saturday and Sunday.

Obexer’s General Store hosts a Grand Opening Barbecue from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and the Bridgetender hosts its Patio Opening Party at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

May 30: Sunnyside starts the day with a Standup Paddleboard Relay Race at 9 a.m. to benefit Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships. Register at 8 a.m. for $25 per person or $10 for kids under 12.

Swiss Lakewood hosts a Wine Dinner featuring wines from John and Lane Giguiere from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Call (530) 525-5211 for reservations.

May 31: The Pre Splash-In Breakfast is from 7 to 10 a.m. at Obexer’s General Store, followed by a reservation-only breakfast at Tahoma Meadows B&B from 8 to 10 a.m. Call (530) 525-1553. Rideout Community Center hosts an Open House from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be a free Standup Paddleboarding demo from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at Obexer’s Marina, with the Mike Brown Seaplane Splash-In from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by the Fly-In Barbecue at Obexer’s General Store from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Fly By Finale is from 1 to 1:30 p.m. from Obexer’s.

TRPA boat inspections

2010-05-21T13:55:00.002-07:00

The brilliant blue waters with amazing clarity are what draw boaters, kayakers and other water enthusiasts to Lake Tahoe. But, it takes all of use to keep these beautiful waters safe from invasive species.

Hence, the TRPA’s mandatory inspections of quagga and zebra mussels for all vessels – including kayaks – into the Lake. This year, the inspection program has been combined with the Blue Boating certification program. Kayakers aren’t required to have Blue Boating certification.

The invasive quagga and zebra species are miniscule, but can wreak havoc on the Lake if they are introduced. These mussels, which are hitching rides on boats and trailers and in ballast tanks, bladders and live wells, are spreading across the West. Quagga and zebra mussels will spread rapidly once they are introduced to a lake and will gorge on the food supply, kill fish and pollute the clarity of the lake. They also will clog cooling system water intakes, causing motors to overheat.

TRPA charges a single annual fee for the invasive species inspections and Blue Boating certification, which are available at all launch sites. TRPA also will be offering four roadside inspection stations opening Memorial Day weekend: Alpine Meadow Ski Resort; Northstar-at-Tahoe in the Castle Peak parking lot; 2128 Keetak St. in Meyers at the intersection of Highways 89 and 50; and Spooner Summit at the intersections of Highways 28 and 50 (boats less than 26’ only). The stations are open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the summer.

TRPA offers a sticker for Tahoe-only vessels and one for vessels that use other waters during the year – the Tahoe In & Out Sticker. These fees are based on engine horsepower.

The Tahoe Only sticker ranges from $20 for a vessel with 1 to 100 horsepower up to $60 for more than 1,001 horsepower.

The Tahoe In & Out sticker has a fee system based on vessel length or type (including personal watercraft) for the invasive species inspection and on horsepower. For example, a 16’ to 25’ boat with 1 to 100 horsepower would pay $55, while the same size boat with 501 to 1,000 horsepower would be $85. The complete fee structures are available online. The fee includes unlimited invasive species inspections for the year. As well, a three-day pass is available for a flat $20 discount.

It’s a lot of information to digest, so I’ll devote a separate column later in the season to the Blue Boating program and the need for such inspections. In the meantime, call the TRPA hotline at (888) 824-6267 or visit www.protecttahoe.org.

Kayak classes

2010-05-21T13:55:00.001-07:00

Truckee Donner Parks & Rec will be offering beginner kayak classes, along with guided paddles on Donner Lake this summer.

Beginner kayak classes will be offered on select Fridays from May through August, with the first class on May 28 at West End Beach. The class covers all of the basics including rescue procedures. There will be Learn to Kayak classes for adults 50 and older on select Wednesdays from May to August, with the first class on May 27.

All ages are welcome on the Kayak Family Fun Paddles days on select Saturdays from May to August, and Moonlight Paddles open to ages 5 and older from May to August. See Events for upcoming dates for these paddles or call (530) 582-7720.

Spring Paddlefest

2010-05-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

The Lake Tahoe Water Trail Association hosts its Third Annual Spring Paddle on May 22 for a day of discovery, science and stewardship at Sand Harbor State Park. Includes guided paddle at 9:30 a.m. and lunch at Sand Harbor at noon.

Reservations are required and space is limited. The cost is $30 per person and $25 for association members. Life vests are required and all boats will have an invasive species inspection free of charge. Registration closes May 20. For more information, call (530) 579-2525 or visit www.laketahoewatertrail.org.

Boating, kayak safety classes

2010-05-05T14:29:00.000-07:00

North Tahoe Coast Auxiliary, www.northtahoecaux.com, will offering boating and kayak safety classes this summer.

A Kayak Safety classes will be offered in Tahoe City on May 22, covering an introduction to kayaking, selecting a life jacket and protective clothing, recommended safety equipment, cold water hazards and more. It also will be offered Oct. 16. To register, call Jerry Gilmore at (530) 587-3323.

The About Boating Safely class will be offered on June 5 at the Truckee Community Recreation Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This one-day class covers an introduction to boating, boating laws, safety equipment, navigation, boat handling, knots, handling emergencies and more. The cost is $40 and includes materials. To register, call the Truckee-Donner Recreation & Parks District at (530) 582-7720.

Vessel Safety Checks

2010-05-05T14:26:00.000-07:00

The North Tahoe Coast Auxiliary, www.northtahoecguax.com, offers free Vessel Safety Checks, confirming that boats meet federal and state requirements for safety.

No citations are issued and the results of the safety check are not reported to any enforcement agency, but a decal is awarded to display if the vessel has passed the examination. When the Coast Guard sees the decal displayed on the vessel they know that the vessel is in compliance.

Vessel Safety Checks are scheduled for May 29 at Meeks Bay and June 26 at Ski Beach in South Lake Tahoe and Lake Forest Beach east of Tahoe City. Free checks also are available by appointment at homes, boat ramp or other North Tahoe locations by calling Bill Stolz at (775) 762-2257 or e-mailing billstolz@hotmail.com.

Kayak classes offered

2010-05-05T14:25:00.000-07:00

Truckee Donner Parks & Rec will be offering beginner kayak classes, along with guided paddles on Donner Lake this summer.

Beginner Kayak classes will be offered on select Fridays from May through August, with the first class on May 28, at West End Beach. The class covers all of the basics including rescue procedures. There will be Learn to Kayak classes for adults 50 and older on select Wednesdays from May to August, with the first class on May 27.

All ages are welcome on the Kayak Family Fun Paddles days on Donner Lake on select Saturdays from May to August, and Moonlight Paddles open to ages 5 and older during full moons from May to August. For more information or to register, call (530) 582-7720.

Maritime Lecture Series

2010-05-05T14:19:00.000-07:00

Tahoe Maritime Museum kicks off its summer lecture series on May 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. with a presentation on sea planes and their significance in Lake Tahoe history presented by Lou Reinkens and fellow aviation enthusiasts.

The eight-part series runs through September with admission $8 for adults and free to children 12 and under. For details, call (530) 525-9523 or visit www.tahoemaritime.org

Thunderbird Lodge Open House

2010-05-05T14:18:00.001-07:00

The Thunderbird Lodge hosts an Open House on May 15 in celebration of Nevada Historic Preservation Month at 10 a.m. with guided tours to benefits the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society.

Cookies and light refreshments will be served, and no children under 6 are permitted. The cost is $20 per person and there is limited space.

Reservations may be made by calling (775) 832-8752 or visiting www.thunderbirdlodge.org. The Lodge opens for its regular schedule in June.

Launch Into Summer fundraiser

2010-04-21T16:37:00.000-07:00

The Tahoe Maritime Museum in Homewood hosts its Launch Into Summer Celebration and Fundraiser at the museum at 5 p.m. on May 29 with wine, hors d’oeuvres and a cruising auction with limited items.

Tickets are $65 per person and reservations are required by May 15 to info@tahoemaritime.org.

The museum is currently open Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through May 27. Summer hours are from May 28 to Sept. 30 with the museum open Thursday to Tuesday. Admission is $5 for adults and free for members and children under 12. For details, call (530) 525-9253.

Concours d'Elegance set

2010-02-09T12:34:00.000-08:00

The 38th annual Lake Tahoe Concours d'Elegance will be June 18 to 20 at Sierra Boat Company in Carnelian Bay. The show will provide a treat for the whole family on Father’s Day weekend with the nation’s most prestigious wooden boat show.

“We changed the date from August to June last year for the first time, allowing our event participants a full summer’s use of their cherished woodies, and providing attendees with a fun Father’s Day weekend activity,” comments Dave Olson, chairman of the 2010 Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance and president of the Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation (TYCF), the event’s host organization.

“The Concours offers a unique opportunity for an up-close look at more than 85 antique and classic boats, with great food, live music and exhilarating wooden boat rides all part of the show experience.”

In addition to the dozens of beautifully restored wooden boats from all makes, models, and years, the Marque Class for 2010 will be "Classic Glass” (up to 1964), and will consist of two subclasses: “Transitional Fiberglass,” to include boats manufactured with wood hulls and fiberglass accessories such as fins, hard tops, or decking, and “Full Fiberglass,” boats manufactured primarily out of fiberglass.

Come feast your eyes on early models from Chris-Craft, Century, Arenacraft, AristoCraft and Correct Craft, featuring gleaming afterdecks, 'vertical' tails and swooping rear fins constructed of fiberglass.

“Proceeds from the event are donated each year to provide educational and charitable opportunities that enhance the expertise or understanding of maritime skills in the Lake Tahoe basin,” adds Olson. To date, TYCF has raised and donated more than $200,000 to local maritime groups and projects.

Event details, downloadable images and tickets are available at www.laketahoeconcours.com, or by calling the show office at 1-530-581-4700. Now through May 15, discounted ticket prices are $25 for one day, or $30 for a two-day pass, with kids under 12 admitted free. Show hours are Saturday, June 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, June 20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. VIP Preview Day tickets are $100 for Friday, June 18, 12-4 p.m. and include complimentary food, libations and wooden boat rides.

Boat inspections considered for other Sierra waters

2010-01-13T21:14:00.000-08:00

The Tahoe Conservation District, (http://www.tahoercd.org/), is considering a proposal to expand vessel inspections for invasive species from Lake Tahoe to include other waters in the Sierra Nevada for the 2010 boating season.

The TRCD received a $231,000 grant from the Truckee Meadows Water Authority to develop a plan to inspect boats being launched in other waters including Independence Lake, Donner Lake, and Boca, Stampede and Prosser Creek reservoirs. The inspections would look for the invasive Zebra and quagga mussels. Such inspections are mandatory on Lake Tahoe.

No funding for the inspection program's operation is yet available. The grant will cover the costs of researching and designing an inspection program.

Aquatic Invasive Weed Survey and Control

2010-01-13T19:57:00.000-08:00

The Tahoe Resource Conservation District (www.tahoercd.org) recently released a summary of its Aquatic Invasive Weed Survey and Control.

Aquatic weed control continued through the 2009 summer season in Emerald Bay. This treatment included the installation of 54 bottom barriers and utilizing vacuum-assisted hand removal around the edges of bottom barriers and in areas where bottom barriers are not feasible.

A new infestation of curly-leaf pondweed, Potamogeton crispus, was detected this season. The satellite population was treated and will be monitored and re-treated as necessary. A comprehensive, diver-assisted lake wide survey was completed in October. Results from this survey and results from control efforts will be reported once the data analysis in finalized.

In addition to the actual control work in Emerald Bay, the Lake Tahoe Nearshore Aquatic Weed Working Group revised the Aquatic Weed Monitoring Protocol and survey forms to reflect weed control efforts in a quantitative manner.

The TRCD also is working to develop a data management system for the purpose of monitoring, prioritizing and documenting aquatic weed removal efforts on a lake wide scale. This will include removal and monitoring efforts performed by the private sector such as private docks, marinas and homeowners associations.

Items sought for water skiing exhibit

2010-01-13T19:56:00.000-08:00

The Tahoe Maritime Museum has identified a unique area of Lake Tahoe maritime history that is often over-looked – water skiing. The museum is developing an exhibit to highlight the history of water skiing at the Lake, which will be unveiled this summer.

The museum is interested in hearing from Museum members, supporters and others who are past water-ski champions at various competitive levels, individuals who would like to share their oral history, old home movies, memorabilia, historic photographs and memories of water skiing on the Lake, and from those who own historically accurate ski boats representing the evolution of the boat side of water skiing.

For more information, call the museum at (530) 525-9253 or e-mail info@tahoemaritimemuseum.org.

Nevada boating age changes

2010-01-02T15:27:00.001-08:00

Starting Jan. 1, a new state law in Nevada requires that operators of boats that are towing a person on water skis or other devices now must be at least 16 years old.

The previous requirement was 14. A 14-year-old may drive the boat is someone else in the vessel is at least 18 and able to supervise.

As well, designed "observers" required under Nevada law to keep an eye on the person being towed must be at least 14, or 12 if another passenger is at least 18.

2009 Safe Boating Year

2010-01-02T15:26:00.001-08:00

The Officer In Charge at Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe in Lake Forrest, Senior Chief Daniel Bennett, reported at the recent Sierra Division Coast Guard Auxiliary Change of Watch Ceremony and Awards Dinner that there were no boating deaths on Lake Tahoe between October 2008 and October 2009.

This is in comparison to the eight boating-related deaths that occurred on Lake Tahoe the first year Bennett arrived to take command of Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe.

Outgoing Coast Guard Auxiliary Sierra Division Commander Dee Dee Kincade of Incline Village equates the wonderful to the efforts of the various agencies and people who patrol and educate boaters in and around Lake Tahoe. Coast Guard Personnel at Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe have increased its patrols and boardings in the past year.

The Sierra Division of the Coast Guard Auxiliary (the uniformed and volunteer arm of the Coast Guard on the Lake Tahoe ) spent more than 2,300 hours patrolling Lake Tahoe in 2009. The Auxiliary provided escort to events and regattas on Lake Tahoe, completed 706 free Vessel Safety Checks and educated boaters on various safe boating practices through its Boater Safety classes.
Police and sheriff boat patrols played a large part in eliminating boating-related deaths on Lake Tahoe last year.

Lake Tahoe marine dealers, marina operators and boat rental companies are all helping by educating boaters to “think ahead and be safe when boating on Lake Tahoe.” Ed Lyngar of the Nevada Department of Wildlife has been instrumental at providing boaters with safe boating literature.

For more information or to volunteer in the Auxiliary, call Joe Harris at (650) 279-9159 or www.northtahoecgaux.com.

Maritime Museum open select days

2010-01-02T15:16:00.000-08:00

The Tahoe Maritime Museum, featuring guided tours, exhibits and hands-on activities for kids, is open select days through Feb. The Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 8 to 10, Jan. 15 to 17, Feb. 12 to 14 and Feb. 20 to 22.

Admission is $5, and free for members and children 11 and under. (530) 525-9253.

Maritime Annex Open House

2009-09-29T15:23:00.000-07:00

Tahoe Maritime Museum hosts an Open House at the Truckee Annex from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 5, weather permitting. See vessels and artifications not on display at the Homewood museum.

Located at 10434 River Park Place. Free admission with Toys for Tots donation. $5 adults, free children 12 and under and members. (530) 525-9253.

Emerald Bay Trip

2009-09-22T15:15:00.000-07:00

Truckee-Donner Parks and Rec. is offering a trip to Emerald Bay on Oct. 2 to visit one of the sites where the Tahoe Diver’s Conservancy is working to eradicate invasive species in Lake Tahoe.

Learn about zebra and quagga mussels, New Zealand clams, curly leaf pondweed, millefoil and other species that are threatening the Lake.

The trip is from 9 a.m. to noon and is limited to 14 people. The cost is $52 per person. To register, call (530) 582-7720.

Lodge to Lodge Kayak Tour

2009-09-22T15:13:00.000-07:00

Tahoe Adventure Company offers a multi-day kayak adventure includes guided paddles, spotting local wildlife and learning about natural and human history on Sept. 24 to 27 and Oct. 1 to 4.

Arrive at your lakefront hotel for a hot shower, warm meal by afternoon. Relax, socialize or get a massage.

$990 per person for groups of five to eight, $1,190 pp for groups of three to four, $1,390 per person for two. Includes kayak, gear, professional guide, meals, lakefront lodging, snacks and refreshments. Reservations (530) 913-9212.

TRPA buoy deadline Oct. 15

2009-09-18T17:28:00.000-07:00

Lake Tahoe, CA/NV – Orange notice tags will begin showing up on buoys around Lake Tahoe over the next four weeks as part of an effort by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) to get the word out that a permitting and registration deadline is approaching for all Lake Tahoe moorings such as buoys and boatlifts.

TRPA’s Watercraft Enforcement Team started attaching the notices to buoys and other moorings such as boatlifts and boathouses this week. Buoy and mooring owners have until October 15 to begin the permitting and registration process, required under the Agency’s shorezone ordinances.

The permitting and registration program will help fund much-needed enforcement on the Lake to address the proliferation of unauthorized buoys in Tahoe. The Agency’s rules on boat mooring were updated in December of 2008 in part to create an effective, locally operated buoy enforcement program.

An October 15 deadline has been set for mooring owners to begin the process. Those who fail to meet the deadline risk penalties that could include buoy removal. The orange tags now being attached to buoys are a follow-up notification to buoy owners of the October 15 deadline. Two notifications were mailed to lakefront property owners, one last November and one this July.

“We are here to help walk buoy owners through the process and customers who contact us have been impressed with what we are doing to assist them,” TRPA Community Liaison Jeff Cowen said.

The buoy permit application process was modified in July removing the need in most cases for site surveying. Additionally, permitting and registration may be completed over-the-counter and applicants with minimum requirements are usually issued TRPA registration tags the same day. Latitude and longitude coordinates for buoys are one requirement of the application which TRPA customer service staff can help property owners gather.

“Most important right now is for buoy owners to not delay or ignore the notice,” Cowen said. “What we don’t want is for legitimate buoy owners to potentially lose their moorings because they didn’t meet the deadline.”

There are approximately 4,400 mooring buoys in Lake Tahoe and, until this year, administering them has been a challenge for TRPA as well as state and federal agencies with permitting authority over buoys. New registration and mitigation fees for buoys will help fund the watercraft enforcement program, buoy enforcement as well as scientific monitoring programs.

Owners of buoys and other moorings such as boatlifts and boathouses can access electronic forms at www.trpa.org and may submit the appropriate forms by mail or in person at the TRPA office at 128 Market Street in Stateline, NV.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency cooperatively leads the effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region now and in the future. For additional information, call Dennis Oliver at (775) 589-5235 or email todoliver@trpa.org.

Kayak Safety class

2009-09-18T17:25:00.001-07:00

Court Ruling Allows Shorezone Permitting to Continue

2009-09-18T17:24:00.000-07:00

Judge Issues Injunction Decision

Contact: Julie Regan, TRPA Communications and Legislative Affairs Chief, (775) 589-5237

For Release Immediately September 18, 2009

Lake Tahoe, CA/NV - Pier and buoy permitting at Lake Tahoe will be allowed to continue under a federal court ruling made in the legal dispute over TRPA's shorezone program.

A federal judge agreed with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency's legal brief in response to litigation filed by the League to Save Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Club to allow buoy and pier permitting to continue while the lawsuit moves through legal channels, according to Nicole Rinke, TRPA's General Counsel.

"TRPA successfully made the case to continue the permitting process for buoys and piers to further our goal to improve how boating activities are regulated on Lake Tahoe," Rinke said. "While no construction of new piers or buoys is allowed until after the lawsuit is sorted out by the courts, TRPA will continue moving forward to carry out the new shorezone plan and is optimistic the courts will agree with our approach when the lawsuit is resolved."

After a 22-year debate of how best to manage development in Lake Tahoe's shorezone, the TRPA adopted new policies and ordinances in October 2008, which have since been challenged by environmental organizations. The plaintiffs argued for an injunction on all permitting of new buoys and piers but the court did not grant the full injunction. The merits of the entire lawsuit are being evaluated by the courts.

"It's crucial for the public to understand that the new shorezone regulations set development caps on new buoys and piers and establishes mitigation measures, making the new rules more protective than previous ordinances," Rinke said. "There are already nearly 800 piers and approximately 4,500 buoys on the lake today. With our new shorezone program we can better manage boating activities and protect water quality at Lake Tahoe from environmental threats including invasive species."

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency cooperatively leads the effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region now and in the future. For additional information, email jregan@trpa.org<mailto:jregan@trpa.org>.

###

Jeff Cowen
Community Liaison
(775) 589-5278

Donner Lake & Beyond

2009-09-18T17:17:00.000-07:00

While Lake Tahoe is one of the premier lakes in the Sierra, it is far from the only one. The Sierra Nevada is filled with hundreds of lakes and reservoirs that make boating and other water activities a popular pastime throughout the vast mountain range.

Locally, among the most visited bodies of water outside of Lake Tahoe are Donner Lake and Boca, Stampede and Prosser Creek Reservoirs.

Donner Lake is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, and can get crowded on the weekends. But, you’ll find it a fantastic spot to put in for a glorious day of cruising. Donner Lake is just under 3 miles long and about three-quarters of a mile wide, giving boaters, kayakers, water skiers and wake boarders lots of room to spread out and have fun.

Unlike Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake does not require inspections for quagga and zebra mussels, although a ramp attendant recently remarked to me that “they might wish they had” if they spread to the alpine lake. Just remember that if you have your inspection sticker for Lake Tahoe and you visit Donner Lake, you’ll have to pay for your inspection again when you return to Lake Tahoe.

Donner Lake is a mostly residential area with a mix of locals, vacationers and second homeowners. The north shore is home to Donner State Memorial Park, the boat launch, Donner Lake Marina and what few services there are.

From Truckee, take Donner Pass Road, which runs along the north shore. You’ll find the public boat launch near the west end of the lake. If you want to stock up before hitting the water, stop at Donner Pines Market or enjoy breakfast or lunch at one of the area’s best eateries – Donner Lake Kitchen. They are both located on the North Shore, about 1.8 miles before the boat launch.

The Truckee Parks & Rec Department operates the launch, which is open 24 hours a day. Attendants are on-site from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily with fees $7 for California residents and $10 for out-of-state during those hours. Parking is $2. There are public restrooms at the launch site.

All boat traffic on Donner Lake goes counter-clockwise and the speed limit on the lake is 35 mph from sunrise to sunset; it drops to 10 mph from sunset to sunrise. The speed is 5 mph nears the homeowner’s beaches – Donner Lake on the west end and Tahoe Donner on the east end – as well as near the public West End Beach. These areas are off-limits to boat traffic, so don’t enter the swimming areas.

If you want to rent water toys, kayaks or personal watercraft, Donner Lake Marina on the west end (just west of the boat launch) and Donner Lake Watersports on the east shore can help. There are no fuel, pump or launch services on the lake, however.

What the lake does have in abundance is public piers – there are 35 public piers on the north shore. You can use them to sunbath or picnic, but please be courteous of private piers. Also, the only restrooms are at the boat launch or Shoreline Park, which is about midway on the north shore and can be reached from the beach. And there are no public piers on the other shores.

Boca, Stampede and Prosser Creek reservoirs are great places to visit for a day on the water just outside Truckee. They also offer many camping options, so you can plan a prolonged trip to these area waterways. And, there are no launch fees on any of the reservoirs. However, there are no services near the reservoirs, so stock up in Truckee or at United Trails General Store on Hirschdale Road right off Interstate 80.

Prosser Creek Reservoir, the smallest of the three, is closed to power boats and personal water craft. The speed limit is 10 mph, making it a great spot for fishermen. From Truckee, take Highway 89 to Prosser Dam Road. You can launch from several unimproved locations.

Boca Reservoir is the most easily, and quickly accessible from Interstate 80. You can take the Hirschdale exit or continue on the dirt road from Prosser Dam Road off Highway 89 North.

The Boca area was once a booming industrial area providing ice to railcars carrying goods to the east and lumber to the gold and silver mines from the mid-1860s. There was also a former town near the present-day reservoir and the area was home to the Boca Brewery, said to be “warranted to keep in any area.”

Today, Boca is a favorite spot for personal watercraft and ski boats. There are about 14 miles of shoreline with the depth ranging from 50’ to 80’, with the deepest part near the dam. You can reach the paved boat ramp by taking Boca Lake Road off Hirschdale Road and crossing the dam.

There’s a 45 mph speed limit on Boca from sunrise to sunset, and only 10 mph from sunset to sunrise. In the coves, the speed limit is set at 5 mph.

The largest of the trio is Stampede Reservoir, located a few miles north on Hirschdale/Stampede Road. With about 25 miles of shoreline, the amoeba-shaped reservoir has lots of coves, inlets and spots to get away from the crowds. Stampede averages 90’ to 120’ of depth.

There’s a 45 mph speed limit on Stampede from sunrise to sunset, and only 10 mph from sunset to sunrise. There’s a 5 mph limit within 200’ of the boat ramp, near moored boats, swimmers and the swimming beach. The launch is located on Dog Valley Road off Stampede.

Lake Tahoe's water trail

2009-09-04T14:37:00.000-07:00

The Lake Tahoe Water Trail Committee released a new edition of its “Lake Tahoe Water Trail Map & Guide” earlier this summer, and if you haven’t picked up a copy, you need to get one.

The map is a waterproof and tearproof map of Lake Tahoe and Fallen Leaf Lake that was specially designed for kayakers to help them navigate on their own around the lake. The map is an ingenious idea and features GPS waypoints, put-in points (including boat ramps, marinas and spots to put in by car) and a list of local sites of interests. But, probably the most useful information is the guide that lists lodging, boating, camping, picnicking, dining and other useful information to aid in your trip around Lake Tahoe.

While originally designed with kayakers in mind, any one that spends time on the water will find this map a great tool to have with them.

The map is wonderfully detailed with lake depths and cleared marked shorelines, with both public and private lands clearly marked. I have a collection of Tahoe maps, and this is one of the best-produced and most useful maps I’ve ever seen.

As I was reading my copy of the map recently (and, I love to read maps), I marveled at the amount of time and energy that has been devoted to this particular guide. The Lake Tahoe Water Trail Committee, a group of paddling advocates, has compiled 294 places to help kayakers navigate the lake from public beaches and campgrounds to restaurants and lodging that can be accessed by the lake.

There are also historical points of interest including the Thunderbird Lodge, Tallac Historic Site, Sugar Pine Point State Park and many others. They also include a list of local outfitters accessible by water in case you need supplies and interesting points like the underwater barge in Emerald Bay or the Lakefront Wedding Chapel in South Lake (I guess in case you decide to be wed during your trip around the lake).

The map features a point with a color-coded key. On the back is detailed information on each site including a key that will tell you if there’s a pier, fuel, lodging, camping, restaurants, restrooms, local transit, outfitter, showers, phones and much more. As well, they provide local emergency information and contact information for local visitor’s centers to help you on your trip.

The maps retail for $10.99 and are available at most local outfitters and bookstores. For more information on the map of the Lake Tahoe Water Trail Committee, visit www.laketahoewatertrail.org.

Zebra & Quagga Mussels

The Committee also includes information on the map about the zebra and quagga mussels, two invasive species that the TRPA is trying to keep from infecting Lake Tahoe. These mussels can be transported from infected waterways to Lake Tahoe, causing significant damage to clarity and will clog and damage boats and municipal water systems.

These mussels can survive for weeks in standing water or on any wet material from kayaks to PFDs, wet suits, clothes, shoes and other equipment. The most effective way to prevent their spread is to clean, drain and dry anything that has touched the water. If kayakers launch at a public boat launch, they are required to have an inspection, which is provided free for all non-motorized vessels. If you’re not sure about your equipment, please take the time to have this free inspection done. (There’s a fee for motorized vessels.) For more information on the mussels, visit www.protecttahoe.org. To find a local inspection site, see the list of public launches on our Marina chart in this edition.

Lodge to Lodge Kayak Tours

Tahoe Adventure Company is offering the first Lodge to Lodge Kayak Tour along the Lake Tahoe Water Trail from Sept. 24 to 27 and from Oct. 1 to 4.

The tours feature a multi-day kayak and stay package along the West, North and East shores of Lake Tahoe. Enjoy the glassy, clear waters with early morning guided paddles spotting local wildlife and learning the unique natural and human history of this special region.

In addition to thorough instruction, guides will inform participants about natural and human history topics such as wildlife, geology, ecology and native peoples. Kayaking is at a leisurely pace, allowing time to see the sites and enjoy the crystal clear water. Each day's paddle starts after breakfast, finishes in the afternoon and is suitable for beginners. Evenings are enjoyed with delicious meals at local restaurants.

Space is limited. For details, call Tahoe Adventure Company at (530) 913-9212.

Emerald Bay trip

Truckee-Donner Parks and Rec. and Tahoe Diver’s Conservancy is offering a trip on Sept. 11 to Emerald Bay to visit one of the sites where the Tahoe Diver’s Conservancy is working to eradicate invasive species in Lake Tahoe.

Learn about zebra and quagga mussels, New Zealand clams, curly leaf pondweed, millefoil and other species that are threatening the Lake. Participants will be able to observe conservancy divers at work on the site. The trip is 9 a.m. to noon and is limited to 14 people. The cost is $52 per person. The trip, without divers at work, also will be offered on Oct. 2. To register, call (530) 582-7720.

Kayak Safety Class

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary wraps its series of safety classes with a Kayak Safety class on Oct. 10. The class will include an introduction to kayaking, selecting a life jacket and protective clothing, recommended safety equipment, cold water hazards and more. This class is $30 per person and will be held at the Coast Guard Station in Lake Forest. To register or for more information, call Jerry Gilmore at (530) 587-3334.

East Shore lore

2009-08-27T17:07:00.000-07:00

The boulder-strewn East Shore south of Cave Rock is a great place for cruising and sightseeing, but with few safe spots to pull ashore. So, it’s best to admire the shore from a safe distance and go in only at the local marinas.

You can head across to the East Shore from any spot on Lake Tahoe, or launch at the public ramp at Cave Rock State Park. To start a cruise toward South Lake, it’s best to head north past Cave Rock for the best view of one of the area’s natural wonders.

Cave Rock is named for the small caves above Highway 50 that were cut by waves when the lake was 200’ higher during the ice ages. Cave Rock is not a rock, however, but the neck of an old volcano.

It also is a sacred site to the Washoe, Tahoe’s native people. The Washoe once spent the summer hunting and fishing in the Sierra, living along Lake Tahoe’s shores. In the winter, they would travel to the Carson and Washoe valleys. Cave Rock was considered the home of the Lady of the Lake, a guardian spirit of the Washoe. They would hold important religious ceremonies, including weddings and funerals, at Cave Rock.

Looking south toward Cave Rock, you can make out the features of the Lady of the Lake – her chest starts at the water and the features of her face are formed by the rocks up to her “eyelashes.” Today, Highway 50 runs through the rock through two tunnels.

The stately homes of the East Shore are made even more dramatic by the boulder-strewn shores, where many homes seem to have emerged right out of the granite.

Boaters on the Lake will notice the distinct differences between the East and West shores. While the West Shore is heavily forested with vast beaches and high cliff walls on the southern end, the East Shore is most noted by its granite boulder piles jutting out on points up from the lake and along the shoreline.

Intermixed among the lakefront homes that seem to perch on the boulders is the former Harrah home. The gray structure with square windows is non-descript among today’s estates, save for the tree growing up through the porch. The home was often used by visiting entertainers at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, most notably Elvis Presley, who was known to hit golf balls into the Lake.

Zephyr Cove comes into view with its large, sand beach and the paddle wheeler “M.S. Dixie II.” Millionaire eccentric George Whittell Jr. once owned 24 miles of Lake Tahoe shoreline in the 1930s extending from Zephyr Cove north along the East Shore around to present-day Kings Beach.

Zephyr Cove offers fuel and other boat services, along with boat and water toy rentals. There’s a public beach next to the marina, and you can stay the night with a buoy rental from the marina and cabin rentals available from the resort. You’ll also find the Sunset Bar & Grille next to the beach, with Zephyr Cove Restaurant a short jaunt from the beach. There’s also a general store next to the restaurant to stock up on supplies.

Heading south, you’ll round Zephyr Point. Be careful of the underwater boulders and stay well away from the point. Around the point, you’ll enter Marla Bay, with a long stretch of sand beach. The Round Hills Pine Beach & Marina is on the south side of the bay. The beach is open to the public and the marina offers water toy rentals, heated swimming pool, bar and grill, and the Rum Bar right on the beach, but no fuel or pump services. You’re welcome to moor your boat at the pier to come ashore for a bite.

Leaving Marla Bay, you’ll come around Elk Point with Round Mound above at 6,717’. The mountain is named for its round appearance, making it easy to spot. While the point is rimmed with dangerous boulders, Nevada Beach lies ahead. The vast, sandy beach stretches down to Edgewood Golf Course. Enjoy the beach, but only admire the golfers from the lake, as Edgewood has no boat access.

The casinos of South Shore tower above the Lake right before the California state line. Just south of the casinos is Lakeside Marina, the closest marina to the casinos. Lakeside offers full marine services including launching, as well as power boat and water toy rentals. You can grab a bite at Lakeside Beach Grill. However, the beach on either side is private.

South Lake Tahoe is the largest developed area around Lake Tahoe, stretching from the East to West shores. I’ll explore more of South Lake in a later column.

Maritime museum unveils photos

2009-08-21T14:44:00.001-07:00

Tahoe Maritime Museum unveils a display of select 1960 photos by official 1960 Olympic photographer and long-time resident Bill Briner, with a presentation by Briner on Aug. 27 at 5:30 p.m. Refreshments served at 5 p.m. (530) 525-9253.

Marine news tidbits

2009-08-21T14:42:00.000-07:00

I’ve had a lot of interesting, marine-related news items come across my desk recently. As the pile gets higher, I thought it would be good time to share some of these items with the marine community.

The Emerald Bay Boat Camp reopened a few weeks ago after being closed while work was being done of the pier. The camp is located on the north side of Emerald Bay and offers 21 campsites with buoys available. Camping is on a first-come, first-served basis. You cannot tie-up on the pier, and buoys are limited to vessels 30’ in length. As well, you can bring dogs to your campsite, but they are not allowed on any of the surrounding lands, which are part of the Emerald Bay State Park. For more information, call (530) 541-3030.

Lake Tahoe’s water level forced the recent closure of the boat ramp at Sand Harbor State Park, marking the third such closure this season. The Tahoe Vista and Kings Beach boat ramps have been closed since early spring.

Kayakers and non-motorized vessels may still launch at Sand Harbor and TRPA inspections for quagga and zebra mussels will continue there.

The closure of Sand Harbor will mean longer lines at the remaining ramps. Cave Rock is now the only East Shore ramp still open, with Lake Forest outside Tahoe City the only ramp open on the North Shore. West Shore and South Shore boat launches remain open, and marinas around the lake continue to offer launching services. For more information, see the Marinas chart on the facing page.

The TRPA is currently reviewing a proposal to open 24-hour boat inspection stations along the highways leading into the Lake Tahoe Basin to stop the potential spread of quagga and zebra mussels. The proposal is being considered after reports of boaters skirting the inspections now conducted at boat ramps and marinas. The proposed stations would be along U.S. 50 in California and Nevada and Highways 431, 207, 89 and 267.

Another proposal being considered would be to have two or three centralized locations for boat inspections in place for summer 2010 instead of the inspections now done at dozens of locations around Lake Tahoe. The board is expected to consider staff reports on these proposals this month.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary continues to offer free vessel safety checks and will even come to you for a check. The Auxiliary has reported a more than 500 percent increase in checks on Lake Tahoe and Donner Lake this season. There is no reporting of their findings to any agency, and those passing the inspection will receive a decal noting that all required safety equipment is on board.

Mandatory equipment on motorized vessels less than 26 feet in length require the following safety items onboard: visual distress signal device (like a ski flag); a sound-producing device (whistle, horn, bell, etc); fire extinguisher; properly fitting Personal Flotation Device (PFD/life jacket) for all passengers and operators; a readily accessible throwable Type IV cushion (not stowed); working ventilation system (inboard or I/O engines); and working navigation lights. Mandatory equipment for kayaks and canoes are a properly fitting PFD with a whistle attached to the PFD.
If the Coast Guard or one of the law enforcement agencies finds a vessel does not have the required safety equipment, fines may range from hundreds to a few thousands dollars. To make an appointment for your free Vessel Safety Check, call Joe Harris at (650) 279-9159. Checks can be performed at your residence, boat ramp or other North Lake Tahoe location.

Historic East Shore

2009-08-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

The boulder-strewn East Shore remains largely undeveloped today thanks to an eccentric millionaire that once owned more than 24 miles of shoreline, most of which was on the East Shore.

If you want to spend the day exploring the East Shore, plan ahead. The only East Shore launch open is at Cave Rock and the closest on the North Shore is a Lake Forest outside Tahoe City. As well, if you launch from Cave Rock, there are no services heading north up the shore. On the North Shore, Sierra Boat Company in Carnelian Bay or North Tahoe Marina in Tahoe Vista are you closest source of supplies. Remember, the only location to dock in Incline Village is the Hyatt Regency, where you can grab a bite to eat, but with no gas services.

There are many large, underwater boulders along the East Shore and the depth of the lake can be deceiving. As well, this year we are experiencing low water levels, so use caution when going ashore.

Leaving Incline Village, the last few homes built into the boulder-strewn hillside will suddenly stop, replaced by undeveloped shorelines at Hidden Beach, a nude beach.

One note of warning for families, the East Shore is home to several nude beaches, so stick to the large, sandy beaches and you’ll likely avoid the nude sunbathers. For the rest of you, stop drooling, it’s rude.

You’ll continue along the expanse of boulder-strewn shoreline until you see the vast sand beaches of Sand Harbor State Park.

Sand Harbor is one of Lake’s Tahoe best beaches. There are beaches rimming the entire point, with shallow waters that are among the warmest on the lake. It’s also a popular spot of kayakers, so keep your eyes open.

Unfortunately, the boat launch at Sand Harbor closed on Aug. 5 due to low water level, so it’s not accessible. However, there are many great spots to anchor and enjoy the swimming spots (which are roped off, so keep your boat out of these areas). Sand Harbor has picnic areas and a visitor’s center, and is home to the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, playing through Aug. 23.

Leaving Sand Harbor, on the next small point you’ll see the Thunderbird Lodge, one of the grandest estates on Lake Tahoe, built by George Whittell Jr.

Whittell was an odd man with exotic tastes from the lions and elephants he kept as pets to the many mistresses he was rumored to have. Whittell bought 24 acres of pristine wilderness along Lake Tahoe in 1936. Stretching from Kings Beach in California to Zephyr Cove in Nevada, Whittell had grand plans of developing casinos and housing projects.

Whittell sold off parcels in Crystal Bay and Incline Village to developers, while the land for Kings Beach he is rumored to have lost in a poker game to Joe King. However, as he grew older his desire for privacy, mixed with a bit of the paranoia (he hid listening devices throughout most of his own home), led him to abandon plans for development. Although, in his later years, the state of Nevada persuaded him to donate the land that is now Sand Harbor State Park.

Whittell’s former estate is now preserved and maintained by the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society.

From the shore, you can see the Main Lodge, Card House, the Boathouse, which houses the “Thunderbird,” with the Caretaker’s Cottage and an elephant garage on the hillside above. You can cruise past the estate, but you cannot go ashore. Tours of the estate are open to the public only through Tahoe Adventure Company with kayak tours, Tahoe Boat Cruises with boat tours and by shuttle; see Sightseeing for contact information.

Leaving the Thunderbird Lodge, there is a succession of public beaches heading down the East Shore. With the exception of the Thunderbird Lodge, most of the shoreline from Incline Village to Skunk Harbor is state or federal land and is open to the public. There are a few scant pockets of private land, so if you spot a home, pick another spot to come ashore.

The first beach you’ll come to is Chimney Beach, so named for the chimney that is the sole survivor of a former beach house, making it easy to spot from the Lake. Followed by Secret Cove, a nude beach, and Secret Harbor, rounding out the south end of this small bay. Chimney Beach is a wide, sandy beach, while Secret Cove is sheltered by boulders and trees along the shoreline. Despite it’s name, however, Secret Harbor is rather popular with beach-goers, kayakers and boaters. And, dogs are allowed on all of the beaches.

The next harbor will be Skunk Harbor a great spot for swimming or boat camping. On shore, you’ll see the remnants of a guest house and cook house once owned by George Newhall, who also owned an elaborate summer estate on the West Shore. The home was built in 1923 as a retreat from Tahoe’s busy social scene and later sold to Whittell, who lived there during the construction of the Thunderbird Lodge and used it as a guest house and retreat.

Leaving Skunk Harbor and continuing south, you’ll round Deadman’s Point and began to see some homes along the shoreline before entering Glenbrook Bay, one of the Lake’s oldest communities. Glenbrook was once an epicenter of industry in Lake Tahoe. After the discovering of silver at the Comstock Lode in Virginia City, vast amounts of timber were cut around Tahoe, brought across the lake to Glenbrook then loaded on rail cars and carried to the top of Spooner Summit where they rode the flumes to the Carson Valley. The remnants of the three railroad piers that once meet the log booms can still be seen jutting out of the lake. Glenbrook, however, is now a private community and is not open to the public.

You’ll start to see vast estates along the East Shore after leaving Glenbrook Bay. As you head south to Cave Rock, a large volcanic plug noticeable from most of Lake Tahoe, you’ll spot Logan Shoals Marina. The marina, however, is private and provides no services. There’s a boat launch, picnic area and restrooms at Cave Rock. I’ll talk about Cave Rock, a sacred site to the Washoe, in a later column.

On patrol on Lake Tahoe

2009-07-28T20:10:00.000-07:00

Division Commander Dee Dee Kincade and Jack Leth are two of the dedicated members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary that help augment the work of the Coast Guard on Lake Tahoe and surrounding waterways.

Our publisher Charlie Good and I spent a recent morning out with Kincade and Leth, as they demonstrated some of the work of the Auxiliary. We met at Sierra Boat Company and boarded Leth’s boat, which he uses for patrols on Lake Tahoe. One of the primary missions of the group is boat safety, and once we were on board, we donned our PFDs. Auxiliary members wear PFDs at all times while on patrol, and during the winter you’ll find them in dry suits.

While still at the dock, Kincade and Leth showed us the safety equipment each member carries during patrol – a whistle or sound-producing device, strobe light, locator beacon, mirror or other reflecting device. Leth also carries a portable, waterproof radio.

As we prepared to get under way, Leth radioed the Coast Guard station in Lake Forest with our location and the number of passengers. These checks are given every 30 minutes. If a patrol doesn’t check in, the Coast Guard knows where to start searching. In inclement weather, radio checks are done every 15 minutes and more detailed, and include longitude and latitude, speed and course.

Lake Tahoe is a beautiful lake, but it also can be a dangerous lake and every precaution is taken. The Auxiliary follows the same safety guidelines as the Coast Guard. “These are the people that are the gold standard,” Leth says.

The Auxiliary is a group of volunteers that help the U.S. Coast Guard by providing free vessel safety checks, educating the public through boat safety classes and speaking to local groups, assisting the Coast Guard with its training exercises, patrolling waterways to educate the public and assist with calls, and through fellowship with the Guard.

Flotilla 11-01 in North Lake Tahoe has 27 members and is one of the four area Flotillas that encompass the 107-member division Kincade oversees. There are Flotillas in South Lake Tahoe, Carson City and Reno. There are about 30,000 Auxiliary members nationwide.

As we head out into Carnelian Bay toward Dollar Point, Leth tells us about one of their duties – checking the ATONs or Aids to Navigation. ATONs are the buoys and navigational markers on the Lake that mark entrances to buoy fields and channels for marinas. The Auxiliary checks the markers to ensure lights are working, the paint and markings are in good condition and they check the GPS coordinates to ensure proper placement. They check all of the private markers around the lake, while the ANTS (Aid to Navigation Team), check the federal markers, which include the shoreward buoys – marked with red triangles denoted water hazards – and the nuns and cans marking the entrance to Emerald Bay, mooring balls and other markers. (The Auxiliary has produced a map of all of the federal markers, along with hazards and landmarks for navigation that it distributes to rental boat locations around the Lake.)

The Auxiliary also checks on the NASA buoys for Jet Propulsion Laboratories – four large, yellow research buoys around the Lake.
As we made our way toward the West Shore, we spotted debris in the Lake and Leth took the boat over to investigate. Kincade used the boat hook to grab the debris, which turned out to be three roses in pristine condition. As we continued over to Sunnyside, where Leth and Kincade treated us to lunch, they explained their training work with the Coast Guard.

While the Coast Guard is busy with calls during the busy summer months, winter is the time for training exercises, which the Auxiliary assists with by providing manpower and boats.

“We get some that come straight out of boot camp to work up to Coxswain (boat captain),” Leth said of the training support for the USCG. “We get a great sense of pride in working with them.”

Auxiliary members also must go through training to perform patrols from those volunteering as boat crews up to Coxswain.

As we boarded the boat after lunch to return to Carnelian Bay, they received a request from the Coast Guard to investigate a water hazard off Sugar Pine Point that had been reported by the “Safari Rose.” We headed down the West Shore to investigate, which Kincade said is a prime example of the Auxiliary’s work. By investigating the non-emergency call, it keeps the Coast Guard free to respond to emergencies.

While heading down the West Shore, we spotted more debris and plucked three balloons out of the Lake. When we arrived at Sugar Pine Point to investigate the hazard, we discovered that they were research buoys for U.C. Davis. Leth reported the information back to the station and notified the “Tahoe Gal” and “Safari Rose” of their location. We then started back to Carnelian Bay.

The Auxiliary also offers free Vessel Safety Checks, with more than 300 already conducted this summer. The safety checks are designed to educate the public and information is not reported to any agency.
Education is one of the primary missions of the Auxiliary, which includes speaking to local groups and agencies, including businesses like rental fleet employees and school groups. They also offer boat safety classes. Charlie and I took the class in June and came away with a wealth of information.

They also assist with special events, including the recent Trans Tahoe Race and the 4th of July fireworks by establishing security zones.
The Auxiliary’s main mission is recreational boating safety, and volunteers are needed to help with their effort. And, you don’t need boating experience to volunteer. Kincade said volunteers are needed to help with finances, the Web site, education, vessel safety checks, training and patrols.

To sign up for the next About Boating Safely class on Aug. 1 or the Kayak Safety class on Oct. 10, call Jerry Gilmore at (530) 587-3334. For a free Vessel Safety Check, call Joe Harris at (650) 279-9159. To volunteer, request a talk from the Auxiliary or for more information, call Dee Dee Kincade at (775) 831-7192.

2009-07-13T18:58:00.000-07:00

The southern end of the West Shore features beautifully undeveloped swathes of lake shore, along with some of Lake Tahoe’s grandest estates in Rubicon along what’s known as the Gold Coast.

I talked about West Shore from Tahoe City south of Homewood in a previous column, so I’ll pick up from Homewood and head to Emerald Bay for this issue.

Sugar Pine Point
At the far south end of McKinney Bay is Sugar Pine Point and the state park that bears its name. The 4-mile shoreline of Sugar Pine Point State Park is a great place to picnic and sunbath away from the crowds. The north side of the beach is rocky, with sandy beaches on the south side. You can use the public pier or pull ashore; use caution as you can easily get stuck in the sand. From the beach you can go for a hike in the woods or follow the paved, interpretive nature trail to Ehrman Mansion for a tour of this Old Tahoe home.

Meeks Bay
Rounding Sugar Pine Point, you’ll enter Meeks Bay, once the summer home of Tahoe’s native peoples, the Washoe. The Washoe now operate Meeks Bay Resort through a concession with the U. S. Forest Service, which owns the property. The resort features Meeks Bay Marina, a campground, cabins and a convenience store.

Boaters are prohibited from tying up on the white, sandy beaches, but may pull up to the marina for supplies. This is the last place on the West Shore to gas up, grab snacks or other supplies; the next marina and/or eatery is at Camp Richardson in South Lake Tahoe, which is about a 20 to 30 minute boat ride from Meeks Bay.

Rubicon
Often referred to as Lake Tahoe’s Gold Coast for the families of old money that make this span of the West Shore their summer home, Rubicon Bay is one of my favorite places for a sunset cruise. Stretching from the end of Meeks Bay to Emerald Bay, most of Rubicon’s shoreline is craggy, high cliffs dotted by secluded spots. Once you past the last home on the north end of the bay, you’ll come to the white sand beaches of D.L. Bliss State Park.

With a large campground at the park, the beach, called Calawee Cove, is usually quite busy. You can easily pull up to shore and enjoy the beach, or take a hike on the Rubicon Trail accessible at the parking lot above the beach (to the left of the restrooms). Rubicon Bay also is a popular spot of boaters to weigh anchor and sleep under the stars.

At the sound end of the beach, rocky Rubicon Point juts into Lake Tahoe and begins a great stretch of cliffs extending to Emerald Bay. The waters off Rubicon constitute the deepest part of Lake Tahoe closest to the shore, dropping to depths of more than 1,400 feet. This stretch from Rubicon Point to the mouth of Emerald Bay also is the D.L. Bliss Underwater Park, so be mindful of scuba divers. (Scuba divers will float a small flag in the area where they are exploring.)

Along its high cliffs, you can catch glimpses of the Rubicon Trail. After you spot the bridge past Rubicon Point, look above it to the left to see Lake Tahoe’s first lighthouse, once the world’s highest elevation navigation light. One of the least known historic sites along the West Shore, you can reach Rubicon Point Lighthouse from Calawee Cove along the Rubicon Trail.

Emerald Bay
Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe’s only bay, is home to Vikingsholm Castle and the famous Tea House perched atop Fannette Island. Enter Emerald Bay only through the channel, marked by red buoys on the starboard and green buoys on the port, to avoid large boulders under the water’s surface.
The bay is full of treasures to enjoy both on the shore and under the water. On the north side of the bay is a boat camp that is usually open to the public. Work on the pier, however, has the camp closed for the summer. Following the shoreline, look for the wreckage of an old dory — a small wooden skiff — just before the boat camp.

At the end of the bay you’ll find the Scandinavian-style Vikingsholm Castle, where you can tour the stately castle and its grounds. There are picnic tables along the beach and you can usually pull your boat right up to the beach. From the castle, you can hike over to the boat camp and out to Emerald Point.

After you leave the beach, head over to the outlet of Eagle Creek at the bottom of the falls and look for the underwater trees. Continue along the shoreline on the south side where you’ll find two sunken barges once used to transport lumber across the Lake. This is the site for the Emerald Bay Underwater Park, so keep a watch for scuba divers. The site is located directly across the bay from the boat camp. From here, head back to the bay’s crowning jewel — Fannette Island.

Approach the island from the south, where there’s a small cove. Follow the path from the cove and you’ll quickly ascend to the top of the island and the Tea House. The views are magnificent; no camping or picnicking is allowed on the island.

Boat class rescheduled
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has rescheduled its About Boating Safety class from July 25 to Aug. 1 at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach. For more information, call Jerry Gilmore at (530) 587-3334.

Crash course on boating safely

2009-07-13T18:54:00.000-07:00

I spent a recent Saturday at the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s About Boating Safely class. After years of boating on Lake Tahoe with someone else at the helm, I decided that I should learn more about boating on the Lake. My friend Charlie Good, who is also our publisher, decided to join me.

This class is about much more than safety, however. Basic boating terms, equipment, signals, lights and navigation aides, knots and boating etiquette, are among the topics covered in this all-class.

It’s a fascinating mix of basic concepts, safety concerns and hands-on knots taught by members of the Auxiliary, who throw in a few of their personal stories and mistakes.

Division Commander Dee Dee Kincade shared some scary statistics during the class. In 2007, the year of the most recent data, there were 685 boating fatalities in the United States, according to the North American Safe Boating Campaign. Of that, 89 percent were not wearing a life jacket, or PFD (personal flotation device). As well, they reported 1,329 accidents with another vessel, resulting in 66 of the fatalities. The other major types of accidents were caused by collision with a fixed object, skier mishap, people falling overboard and capsizing (the last two accounting for the most deaths.)

It’s scary out there, especially once you realize that many people are unsafe, uninformed and unconcerned, making it even more important to heed the Coast Guard’s and Auxiliary’s warnings about safety.

I can’t possible relate all of the information I learned during the course, but here’s a taste of few things everyone should know. And, if you’re interested in learning more, the Auxiliary will hold another class on Aug. 1

PFDs
Everyone on your boat needs to have a life jacket. That means, if your boat has eight PFDs and 10 passengers, you’re not covered in case of an accident, a fire on board or any other emergency. If the boat starts to sink, which two members of your friends or family will you pick to die if something happens? And, you need to have PFDs that fit the people on board from infants and toddlers to extra-large sizes, if needed. And, while you’re at it don’t forget your dog. Get him a PFD, too.

The law requires that boaters have Coast Guard-approved PFDs on board. The quantity and type depends on the length of the vessel and the number of people on board.

If you’re operating the vessel by yourself, the Coast Guard recommends wearing a PFD at all times and use a lanyard to secure the boat key to yourself in case you fall overboard. California law requires all children under 12 to wear a PFD at all times, while Nevada requires one be worn by all children under 13.

Be prepared
Every boat should be prepared for an emergency, but also for having fun and day-to-day boating. Lake Tahoe can be a dangerous lake for those unprepared.

First, know your capacity. There’s a handy little Maximum Capacity Plate on every vessel. Check what it is and stick to it, or you’ll likely end up capsizing.

Check the weather before going out. If the forecast calls for high waves or winds, don’t go out. Have someone be the lookout at all times – for other boats, for hazards, for water skiers, etc.

The Coast Guard also recommends carrying a VHF marine radio and cell, bilge pump, anchor with the right size line, extra fuel and lubricants, paddles or oars, water, spare parts, flashlight and batteries, tool kits, map and compass, first aid kit, docking lines, throw line coiled in a small bag, visual distress signals, safety flag for water skiers, and extra clothing and sunscreen.

Navigation
Explaining the traffic laws of the waterways is nearly impossible in a column. It’s easier demonstrated with illustration. But, basically, for all of you cruisers and runabouts out there – the majority of boats on the Lake – you need to give right of way to sailboats, kayaks, dinghies and inflatables, any boat towing a water skier or tuber or the parasailers, vessels with limited maneuverability (like the “Tahoe Gal” or “Tahoe Queen”) and disabled vessels.

Second, stop cutting people off. Stop coming up behind them and veering around them. Stop trying to be the first one in the channel at Emerald Bay. And, slow down. Most accidents are caused by speeding.

Watch your wake. If you speed by a buoy field and your wake capsizes a kayaker – that’s your fault. You are responsible for your wake and what your wake does.

Learn the Aids to Navigation, or ATONs, including buoys, beacons, markers and others. There are many different types that mark channels like Emerald Bay, regulate speed, provide information and warn of dangers. For Lake Tahoe, when you’re entering Emerald Bay, stay between the green and red buoys, keeping to the far right (starboard) as possible. If you head outside these buoys, you will hit massive underwater boulders just under the surface.

To sign up for the next About Boating Safely class on Aug. 1 or the Kayak Safety class on Oct. 10, call Jerry Gilmore at (530) 587-3334. The Auxiliary also offers free vessel safety checks and will come to you. Call Joe Harris at (650) 279-9159.

Tahoe City hub of activity

2009-06-25T16:24:00.000-07:00

The quaint village of Tahoe City is a central area for many specialty businesses, a variety of restaurants and cafes, shopping and other activities for locals and visitors. For the boater, Tahoe City is the ideal spot to take a respite from the water, to stock up on supplies or to enjoy a leisurely meal.

To the west of the Tahoe City dam, where the lake’s waters flow into the Truckee River, you’ll pass Tahoe Marina Lodge’s condominiums before seeing a nice stretch of public beach – Commons Beach. The beach is a good place for a picnic, to let the kids out to play or to just relax for a bit. The area is rocky and hazardous, so the best way to visit is to dock at the public pier on the east side of the beach, just below Christy Hill restaurant.

The pier is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for public use and overnight mooring is strictly prohibited. Follow the path to the left over to Commons Beach.

There’s also a public pier (open dawn to dusk) on the west side of town near the outlet for the Truckee River. The pier is in a state of disrepair and with the low water, I would not recommend using it. If you do, follow the path to the left at the end of the pier until you reach Mackinaw Road, where you can access Tahoe City. All other property is private.

Navigation aide: The lights of Tahoe City are bright against the night sky, and the town is relatively easy to find. The streetlights along North Lake Boulevard form a line of lights. Tahoe City Marina is on the east side of town; look for the red and green markers for the entrance to the marina.

Commons Beach has a large picnic area, public restrooms, playground and you’ll find free movies every Wednesday and free concerts every Sunday on the beach.

Above the beach, visitors will find a thriving town with sightseeing activities, shopping and eating. From Commons Beach, take the stairs to street level – North Lake Boulevard. Head to the left and the first building along the boardwalk is the Tahoe City Community Center, housing the Visitor’s Center and the North Tahoe Art Center.

From the Visitor’s Center you can plan out the rest of your trip. If you continue to your left (west), you’ll come to the wye connecting the North and West Shores along with the Gatekeeper’s Museum and Fanny Bridge.

Along North Lake Boulevard, you’ll find a large selection of boutiques and restaurants stretching from one end of Tahoe City to the other. To the right of Commons Beach (heading east), you’ll come to Watson’s Cabin, home of Tahoe City’s first constable, and now a museum. Overlooking the lake, Watson Cabin offers visitors a glimpse back into the early days of Tahoe City.

The Tahoe City Marina, the only marina in Tahoe City, is located on the east end of town. From the pier below Christy Hill, follow the path to the right to reach Tahoe City Marina, with many on-site services. The marina offers powerboat rentals, full dock services, slip and buoy rental and storage. A& M Marine offers full marine services, with Tahoe City Marine Supply offering accessories and rentals for wakeboards, tubes and water skis. You also can book a parasailing flight with Lake Tahoe Parasailing or a cruise with Tahoe Sailing Charters. Tahoe City Kayak also launches its rentals and guided tours from the marina, just visit the shop in the center of town to sign-up.

Tahoe City Marina offers guest buoys on a first-come, first-served basis if you want to enjoy lunch at Jake’s On the Lake or do some shopping at Sports Tahoe or Rubicon Collection at the Tahoe Marina Mall or at the many shops at the Boatworks Mall.

The marina offers boat rentals daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the gas dock and boat valet open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through June, and from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. in July and August. To use a guest buoy, pull up to the dock and speak to one of the dock attendants. For details on all of the marina’s services, call (530) 583-1039.

At the marina, you’ll also find the Tahoe Yacht Club, a favorite among local sailors and second-homeowners who return every summer to spend the season sailing. The yacht club is an excellent place to meet and socialize with other boaters, and the club offers a variety of activities each summer. For membership information, call (530) 581-4700. They are even offering a great membership discount through July.

In Tahoe City, you’ll find a myriad of local restaurants – River Grill, Evergreen, Fat Cat Café, Fiamma, Sawtooth Ridge, Jake’s On the Lake, Lakeside, Blue Agave, Bridgetender, Christy Hill and Wolfdale’s to name a few – and coffee shops – Gear & Grind, Java Juice, Syd’s, Coffee Connexion, Dam Café and others.

On the far end of town, you’ll see the Tahoe Gal, offering lake cruises. This is a private dock with no public mooring. Continuing east past the state campground, you’ll see a T-shaped public pier available for use from dawn to dusk. Follow the short path to the bike path, and you’re a short walk from Tahoe City.

"Whiskey" unveiled at museum

2009-06-17T10:03:00.000-07:00

Tahoe Maritime Museum unveils the 1935 Gar Wood “Whiskey” on June 24 from 9 to 11 a.m. "Whiskey" is the oldest surviving Gar Wood utility boat on display at the museum.

Enjoy an engaging presentation with classic boat historian Brian Robinson, award-winning restorer Tony Brown of Western Runabouts and previous owners Nancy Cunningham and George and Clare Schmitt.

Refreshments will be served. $15, $12 museum members. (530) 525-9523.

Hamlets of the North Shore

2009-06-17T09:48:00.000-07:00

The undulating shores of the Lake’s North Shore begins at the dam in Tahoe City and continue east, weaving in and out of the coves making up the hamlets of Tahoe Vista, Agate Bay and Kings Beach, before crossing from California into Nevada to the thriving community of Incline Village.

With the Concours d’Elegance from June 19 to 21 in Carnelian Bay, I decided to talk about some of the communities of the North Shore. For this column, I start outside Tahoe City and end in Tahoe Vista. I’ll cover Tahoe City, Kings Beach and Incline Village in later columns.

There are few spots to stock up on supplies, but boaters will find several public docks and ramps for their use, along with several exceptional restaurants accessible by boat.

One often overlooked pier that is open to public use lies just outside Tahoe City. The weathered “T” shaped pier offers no indication that it was built for the public, but it stands there rarely used.

As boaters leave Tahoe City, passing the Tahoe State Recreation Area campground, there’s a small stretch of wooded lakefront property with few homes. Sandwiched between Rocky Ridge Beach Club’s pier – a private club – and a homeowner’s pier, is the pier (it doesn’t have a gate). Boaters can dock here and enjoy the small public beach where the pier meets land. A small trail from the beach leads back to Highway 28.

Perhaps the most heavily used public boat ramp on the North Shore lies outside Tahoe City in the Lake Forest community. The Lake Forest Boat ramp is a heavy traffic area and boaters should use extra caution in the area. The channel leading into the ramp area is shallow and marked by some rather large boulders – be sure to stay within the channel. There are no services at Lake Forest, but there are two campgrounds to the east and west of the ramp, along with a park, a picnic area with barbecues and restrooms.

Next to the boat ramp is the U.S. Coast Guard Station, who are there to help boaters on the lake. While it may be tempting to want to check out their station, it is a military facility, so steer clear.

A long, sandy stretch of public beach – Lake Forest Beach – lies beyond the Coast Guard station. The beach and public pier sit below a high, sandy cliff where one of the campgrounds is located. Boaters can stop here for a respite from the water, but, as always, be careful of underwater rocks and low water levels. There’s also a public pier for docking, but no services (there are restrooms in the campground above the beach).

As you round Dollar Point into Carnelian Bay, you may catch a glimpse of anglers along the thick brush and rocks on the point. Dollar Point is known to be a premier fishing spot with locals. Stay clear of the point, however, as the underwater boulders are extremely dangerous to boaters and the water level can be deceptive.

Gar Woods Grill & Pier offers indoor and outdoor dining, and it’s not uncommon to see a wedding at the beach in front of the restaurant. The pier at the restaurant is public, as are the beaches to either side of the pier. Boaters can tie up at the pier, which is handicap accessible, or the restaurant has a boat valet available until dusk for its customers.

Navigation Aide: The large wooden and glass exterior of Gar Woods can easily be mistaken for another lakefront home. Look for the mammoth, rectangular buildings making up the facilities at Sierra Boat Company; Gar Woods is across the expanse of rocky beach to its left.

Sierra Boat Company, to the right of Gar Woods, offers a full-service chandlery, slip rentals, and specializes in the restoration and sales of wooden boats.

Situated between Gar Woods and Sierra Boat is Carnelian Bay Beach, a rocky public beach maintained by the California Tahoe Conservancy with picnic facilities and restrooms.

If you need to stock up on supplies, you’ll find a convenience store across the street along with CB’s Bar & Grill with some of the best pizza around.

On the west side of Sierra Boat Company is Patton Beach. This rocky picnic and beach area is dog friendly with public restrooms. A short walk to the west of the beach is the Old Post Office, open for breakfast and lunch.

On the far side of Sierra Boat Company is the largest mural on the lake, painted in 2000 by local artist Susie Alexander-Georgeson.

Entering Agate Bay, the last bay on California’s side of the North Shore, you’re treated to more of the beautiful lakefront homes.

There are several public beaches on the east side of Agate Bay, along with a few private club beaches. As well, there’s a public ramp in Tahoe Vista, but due to low water levels, it will be closed for the summer.

Continuing along the shoreline, you’ll see North Tahoe Marina to the west, with a full chandlery and services. There is no public use of the pier, however.

Shortly before the marina is Moon Dunes Beach, a popular spot for sunbathing and swimming. The beach has a picnic area and restrooms.

Protecting Tahoe from invasive species

2009-06-12T13:42:00.000-07:00

Quagga and zebra mussels, invasive species that are miniscule in size, are at the center of the latest battle to protect Lake Tahoe.

These mussels, which are hitching rides on boats and trailers and in ballast tanks, bladders and live wells, are spreading across the West. Quagga and zebra mussels will spread rapidly once they are introduced to a lake and will gorge on the food supply, kill fish and pollute the clarity of the lake. They also will clog cooling system water intakes, causing motors to overheat. As well, they have been found in pipes in municipal water systems.

The mussels can also be found on kayaks, water toys, wetsuits and any equipment exposed to infected waters.

Young quagga mussels will feel like sandpaper to the touch, while adults usually have dark concentric rings on the shell. The mussels can grow up to 1.6”, making the young mussels hard to spot. Full grown mussels are usually smaller than a quarter.

In its latest battle to protect the lake, TRPA (Tahoe Regional Planning Agency) has instituted a mandatory inspection of all boats launched in Lake Tahoe. The inspections were offered free until a fee system went into effect on June 1. TRPA says the fees will cover their costs formerly paid for through a grant that has run out of funds.

Quagga mussels were discovered in Lake Mead in January 2007, and since then have been confirmed at lakes south of Lake Tahoe. Quagga and zebra mussels have been confirmed in waters of the Colorado River Drainage, Lake Mohave, Lake Havasu in California and Arizona, and the San Justo Reservoir in San Benito County.

Inspectors decontaminated six vessels in the Lake Tahoe area over Memorial Day weekend. One vessel was found to have quagga mussels, while the other five came from waters where mussels have been discovered.

TRPA is charging inspection fees for all motorized vessels at public launches and area marinas. These fees are in addition to any launch fees levied at ramps and marinas.

Vessels that have an inspection fee intact when launched the next time will not have to pay a fee. The fees are:

· Non-motorized vessels & vessels with intact inspection seal – No charge

· Vessels up to 16’ - $10

· Vessels over 16’ & up to 25’ - $30

· Vessels over 25’ & up to 39’ - $40

· Vessels over 39’ - $60

· Vessels with ballast tanks, bladders & live wells - $10 additional

A 10-inspection discount card is available for boats that frequently launch at lakes that do not offer inspections or decontamination. The 25 percent discount cards are only available at the TRPA office in Stateline, Nev.

To prevent vessels from being infested, TRPA recommends these steps:

· Clean, drain and dry all equipment with every trip

· Wash watercraft and trailers with a high pressure hose at 140 degrees

· Learn how to inspect watercraft for mussels

· Let boats dry out for 28 days prior to transporting to other waters

· Wash fishing equipment, water toys, wetsuits and flotation devices in a diluted bleach solution prior to use in other waters

For more information, call the TRPA hotline at (888) 824-6267, visit www.protecttahoe.org, follow http://twitter.com/tahoeaquatic or text “Follow tahoeaquatic” to 40404.

Magical West Shore

2009-06-04T10:01:00.001-07:00

The West Shore is perhaps the most alluring of Tahoe’s shores from the mouth of the Truckee River – Lake Tahoe’s only outlet – to the old Tahoe estates and sights along the shore to Homewood.

The West Shore begins at the Tahoe City dam, which has regulated the flow of water from Lake Tahoe via the Truckee River since the first dam was built in the 1860s.

Heading south along the West Shore, the hamlet of Sunnyside is about 2.5 miles south of Tahoe City. (Caution: South of the first buoy field after leaving the Truckee River Outlet area, there is a large boat house at the site of the former Tahoe Tavern with many underwater hazards.)

As you reach the first bay, head to shore for a meal at one of the West Shore’s best restaurants, to stock up on supplies for your own picnic, or for marine services and gas. Sunnyside Resort is a popular spot for visitors and locals where you can grab a sandwich on the vast deck overlooking Lake Tahoe or dine in style inside the Chris Craft Room. Whatever your dining choice, be sure to ask for a slice of Hula Pie for dessert. The restaurant offers a complimentary water taxi and buoys for its patrons on a first-come, first-served basis.

Navigation aide: The lights from Sunnyside Resort can be used as an aide, along with the row of four lights from the private beach at Tahoe Park north of the resort. Heading north along the West Shore, you’ll see the row lights from Tahoe Park before Sunnyside comes into view.

Leaving Sunnyside and rounding the next point, you’ll enter Hurricane Bay with a more than 1.5-mile stretch of public beach. The rocky beach is a popular spot for sunbathers, and Hurricane Bay is an ideal spot of water skiing and boasts one of the best fishing spots on the lake. This also is one of Tahoe’s few public beaches where dogs are welcome.

Heading south, a small rocky outcropping hides a lagoon. The lagoon is the remnant of a failed attempt by two brothers in the 1980s to illegally build their own marina. As the story goes their construction project landed them in the slammer.

Continuing south, you’ll come upon Kaspian Picnic Area with public restrooms, picnic tables and barbecue grills (dogs also are welcome). This end of Hurricane Bay is generally less crowded and there’s a public access pier – it’s the only one without a gate. From the pier, head left on the bike trail to the restrooms and picnic area.

If you’re willing to walk a bit, head left from the pier along the bike trail to climb Eagle Rock, a volcanic outcropping towering above Lake Tahoe. This quick hike offers a panoramic view of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada; it’s about .2 miles from the beach.

McKinney Bay, home to the community of Homewood, lies south of Hurricane Bay. As you enter the bay, you’ll notice the majestic stone chalets of Fleur du lac built by Henry J. Kaiser in 1939 in only 29 days. The location for the winter home of Don Corleone in “The Godfather, Part II,” Fleur du lac is a private community featuring a rocked-in inland waterway, a red brownstone breakwater with a lighthouse, drive-in boat storage, a double swimming pool, amphibious plane landing and a water ski take off. Please respect the resident’s privacy and do not enter the marina.

Elegant, outdoor dining at West Shore Café is a great way to relax with tables arranged on its pier over Lake Tahoe and they offer complimentary water taxi and buoys for its guests.

Two marinas serve boaters at Homewood, with Homewood Marina on the north end and Obexer’s Marina to the south side. Both offer gas and pump services, along with a chandlery. If you want to stock up on supplies and grab a bite to eat, tie up at Obexer’s and visit Obexer’s Market featuring an espresso bar, deli and a upscale market, or cross Highway 89 to grab a bite at the Old Tahoe Café or Pisano’s Pizza.

Homewood is also the location for the Tahoe Maritime Museum, which pays tribute to Tahoe’s maritime history and houses Shanghai, a preserved launch from the 1860s that was resurrected from the bottom of the Lake and restored.

As you head out of the south side of McKinney Bay, you’ll come to one of Lake Tahoe’s most popular gathering spots – Chamber’s Landing. Located on the end of a pier, Chamber’s Landing Bar is said to the oldest bar on Lake Tahoe. It is famous for its Chamber’s Punch and is a popular viewing area for summer sunsets. Dogs also are welcome on the piers at Chamber’s Landing.

Navigation aide: The lighthouse at Fleur du lac marks the north end of McKinney Bay, with Chamber’s Landing rounding out the south end. In succession from north to south at night are the lights of Fleur du lac, Homewood Marina, West Shore Café, Obexer’s and Chamber’s.

Continuing south are Sugar Pine Point State Park, Meek’s Bay, Rubicon Bay home of Tahoe’s Gold Coast, D.L. Bliss State Park and Emerald Bay. I’ll cover this section of the West Shore in a later column.

Women's boat safety class

2009-05-26T14:08:00.000-07:00

Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

With boats streaming into the area, the boating season is poised to kick into high gear. Even with the uncertainties of low water, invasive species inspectors and high fuel prices; Lake Tahoe is still calling to us to play in her beautiful waters. For most people, it will be a summer filled with great memories.

For some first mates, however, there will be stories of the skipper becoming incapacitated or falling overboard and how unprepared they were when they found themselves Suddenly In Command. While many women are excellent boat operators, some are reluctant to take a role in operating the boat. Unfortunately, there will be times when you will have no choice but to step up and take the helm.

Dee Dee Kincade, Division Commander of the Coast Guard Auxiliary for Lake Tahoe and Northern Nevada with 10 years experience sailing and living aboard her boat in the Caribbean, reports that building boating skills builds assurance on the water. Some of those skills involve understanding how to respond in various boating emergencies and how to properly communicate to emergency responders. Becoming familiar with safety equipment and being comfortable on its use makes one feel safer on the water.

Having confidence in your skills and knowing that you have prepared for a safe day on the water allows you to relax and have fun. And having fun is what boating is all about.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary North Lake Tahoe Flotilla has created a special program for women taught by Coast Guard Auxiliary women experienced in both power boating and sailing. This 6-hour boating safety primer is designed for those not generally at the helm, and will help you “be prepared” with the basics in case of a boating emergency.

You will learn about how to assess and communicate common boating emergencies, understand basic boat operating principles, line handling, what new life jackets there are on the market and what equipment is required and suggested to be on board.

A training representative from the Incline Fire Department will be leading us in a “hands on” fire extinguisher demonstration and will speak on basic first aid for events that may occur on a boat and near the water. The Red Cross will also be on-hand to answer first aid questions. Misfortune occurs in seconds, and you have the rest of your life to be grateful that you knew what to do because you were prepared.

The class will be offered at the D W Reynolds Community Building, 948 Incline Way, Incline Village on Saturday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The registration fee is $30 and advanced reservations are highly recommended. To register, contact Dee Dee Kincade via email at ddkincade@charter.net or call (775) 831-7192.

Opening Day on the Lake

2009-05-18T18:34:00.000-07:00

Summer officially begins Memorial Day weekend with four days of festivities on the West Shore during the 3rd Annual Opening Day at the Lake. Deck opening parities, swing bands, historic tours, parties, barbecues and the Seaplane Splash-In are among the many festivities scheduled.

Opening Day is a great way to celebrate the start of summer and to enjoy the many wonderful activities the West Shore has to offer. You can also download or pick up a Passport for a chance to win many great prizes.
Take your Passport to participating locations and get at least 15 stamps to be entered in the raffle for lodging at Granlibakken or Chaney House, Jet Ski rental, $200 savings bond, Sunnyside Resort dinner for two, Tahoe House gift certificate, lift tickets to Homewood Mountain Resort, wine basket, bike rentals and more.

Download a Passport at http://www.tahoewestshoreassoc.com/ or visit any of the locations with Opening Day events.

The best part is that many of these celebrations are accessible by boat. So get a group of friends and family together and head out on the lake for Opening Day.

Friday, May 22
Start the day and the weekend by lending a hand at the annual West Shore Cleanup. Signup at 8 a.m. at Homewood Mountain Resort, then hit the neighborhoods to clean up.

Afterwards, head to Sunnyside for its Deck Opening Party. A great place for lunch and dinner, the party starts at 11:30 a.m. with a live band and raffle from 3 to 7 p.m. (Check out Barbara Keck’s wine column, It’s Grape, featuring Sunnyside’s wines in this issue.) Sunnyside offers three buoys for tie-ups and boaters may dock on the pier, with all spots on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s also a buoy taxi service and a dingy for guest use.
Rideout Community Center is hosting an Open House and Bingo Party from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 23
The popular guided tours at Ehrman Mansion at Sugar Pine Point State Park and Vikingsholm Castle in Emerald Bay State Park start for the season. Tours are offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ehrman Mansion and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Vikingsholm Castle. There’s a public pier at Sugar Pine you can tie up to and you can land your vessel at the beach next to Vikingsholm (just stay off Fannette Island, its closed until June 15 for nesting birds).

West Shore Café is hosting Jazz on the Deck starting at 11:30 a.m. and Bridgetender has its Patio Opening Party starting at 4 p.m. West Shore Café offers 25 buoys for its guests with complimentary boat valet service.
Finish the evening with the Swing Dance at 8 p.m. at Granlibakken Resort. Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple.

Sunday, May 24
Tahoe Maritime Museum, one of the lake’s gems, is holding a First Anniversary Party from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with kids activities, guided tour at 2 p.m., store discounts and a commemorative item while supplies last. Admission is $5 for adults and free for kids 12 and under.

Sugar Pine Point State Park debuts its newest exhibit featuring historic memorabilia from the 1960 Winter VIII Olympic Games held in Tahoma and Olympic Valley. The dedication is at 11:30 p.m. in the Pine Lodge Barn and Coach House on the lake side of the park. The exhibit will feature racer’s and official’s clothing, Olympic credentials, publications, race course markers, photographs and more.

Tours also will be offered at Vikingsholm Castle from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at Ehrman Mansion from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday, May 25
Today’s when the Seaplane land on-masse at Obexer’s Marina in Homewood. The Mike Brown Seaplane Splash-In is loads of fun whether you’re on land or on the water. The Splash-In is scheduled at 10 a.m. and many of the planes pull into the beach for spectators to get an up-close view. This is also a great time for wooden boat cruising, so keep your eyes open for those beauties.

A barbecue will follow at Obexer’s from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the Fly-By Finale from 1 to 1:30 p.m.

Guided tours will be offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ehrman Mansion, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Vikingsholm and at 2 p.m. at the Maritime Museum.

Sub explores Lake Tahoe

2009-05-04T17:41:00.001-07:00

Tahoe Maritime Museum (http://www.tahoemaritimemuseum.org/) presents Submarine Exploration in Lake Tahoe by Scott Cassell, President of the Undersea Voyager Project (http://www.underseavoyager.org/), May 7, 5 - 7PM. $10 with light refreshments served.

The Undersea Voyager Project’s (UVP) mission is to circumnavigate and study the Earth's oceans at depths of 100–1,000 feet utilizing human piloted submersibles. UVP will advance and communicate scientific understanding of the oceans and human impact on the marine environment to a global audience.

Hear from charismatic Scott Cassell about UVP’s first in-water activity with “Great White,” a manned submersible that will dive for 6 weeks in Lake Tahoe this summer and travel 100 miles along Lake Tahoe. Great White will perform water quality testing and will search for animal life, shipwrecks and signs of pollution. The scientists will also perform vibra-core sampling of the three earthquake faults. The Project’s findings will be broadcast to classrooms all over the world.

TRPA inspection fees start June 1

2009-05-04T17:35:00.000-07:00

Boaters launching at Lake Tahoe will have to pay a fee to help fund an inspection program aimed at preventing the introduction of aquatic invasive species such as the quagga and zebra mussel beginning on June 1.

Boaters can have their vessels inspected at certain locations free of charge through the end of May; boats that stay in Tahoe need only be inspected once if an inspection seal is kept intact.

When a vessel comes out of the Lake, an inspection seal will be attached to boats so that they do not have to be inspected or pay a fee again as long as the boat returns with the seal intact. For more information, call the TRPA hotline at (888) 824-6267 or visit www.protecttahoe.org.

Vessel fees
Non-motorized vessels & vessels with intact inspection seal – No charge
Vessels up to 16’ - $10
Vessels over 16’ & up to 25’ - $30
Vessels over 25’ & up to 39’ - $40
Vessels over 39’ - $60
Vessels with ballast tanks, bladders & live wells - $10 additional

Boat camp closed

2009-05-04T17:34:00.000-07:00

The Emerald Bay Boat Camp will be closed most of the summer while a new pier is being built at the Boat-In campground.

The camp will reopen when construction is complete. For details, call (530) 525-3340.

Boat safety classes

2009-05-04T17:33:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers a series of one-day boat safety classes including Suddenly In Command, taught by and for women, About Boating Safely and Kayak Safety. The classes fill up fast, so register early.

About Boating Safely covers a variety of boating topics from an introduction to boating, boating laws, safety equipment, navigation, boat handling, knots, handling emergencies and much more. The class is offered May 16 at Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee, June 27 at the Incline Fire Station and July 25 at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach. The class is $40 per person, or $30 each for two or more.

Suddenly In Command is a special class on June 6 designed for women who are not typically at the helm of a boat. This course is unique to the Tahoe and helps prepare women in case of a boating emergency. Trailering, line handling, knot tying, launching, first aid, communication, required equipment and basic boating operating principles will be covered in this female-only class. The class is $30 per person.

Kayak Safety, offered Oct. 10, will include an introduction to kayaking, selecting a life jacket and protective clothing, recommended safety equipment, cold water hazards and more. This class also is $30 per person.

For more information on the Auxiliary, call division commander Dee Dee Kincade at (775) 831-7192. For information on classes or to register, call Jerry Gilmore at (530) 587-3334. To receive a free Vessel Safety Check, call Joe Harris at (650) 279-9159. You also can visit www.northtahoecgaux.org.

Free vessel safety check

2009-05-04T17:32:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will offer a free Vessel Safety Check on May 23 at Meeks Bay (don’t worry, they don’t report the results to anyway) and will come to your home or any other location to provide you with this free safety check.

Minimum safety requirements for power boat under 25’ include: Numbers and registration; PFDs (life jackets); one throwable cushion; one fire extinguisher; working ventilation system; installed backfire flame arrester; work sound-producing device; working navigation lights; and visual distress signals.

Boat safety checklist

2009-05-04T17:13:00.001-07:00

Make sure all equipment and lights are working before leaving shore.

Safety equipment on board should include: Radio, life jackets, compass, chart, fire extinguishers, anchor, line, paddle, bailers, lights, flares, sound signaling device (like a whistle or horn), first aid kit, basic tools and spare parts.

Wear a life jacket at all times.

Don’t drink and drive.

Do not overload the boat beyond its capacity.

Stay on the lakeside of “Danger Shoreward”
buoys.

Stay at least 600’ from shoreline.

Obey 5 mph zone in buoy fields and within 600’ of shore.

Watch for underwater debris in spring that is washed into the lake by streams.

Know the weather conditions.

Plan afternoon trips on the West Shore to avoid dangerous winds.

In high winds, head to a sheltered harbor and wait it out.

Take a boat safety class.

Get a free vessel safety check.

TRPA invasive species

2009-04-27T20:35:00.000-07:00

Watch out for Kayakers

2009-04-25T16:29:00.000-07:00

“The kayak population on the lake is growing exponentially,” says Jay Schmidt of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

“Boaters are going to have to start share the lake with kayakers,” adds division commander Dee Dee Kincade.

Scuba divers, paddle boaters, swimmers, rafters and many others use the lake alongside boaters, who need to be aware of those in non-motorized craft.

Schmidt recommends that kayakers try to make themselves as visible as possible by using brightly colored kayaks and paddles so boaters can easily spot them. And, he says avoid blue kayaks or paddles that can blend into the water.

Kayakers should also carry a radio, know how to make a mayday call and wear a personal beacon to help rescuers locate them in an emergency.

Stay away from shoreline

2009-04-25T16:27:00.000-07:00

A regulation from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (www.trpa.org) that many boat operators aren’t aware of is that they must stay at least 600’ from the shoreline and go no more than 5 mph within 600’ of the shoreline or in buoy fields. This also applies for personal watercraft and other motorized craft.

The law is designed to provide kayakers, swimmers and others in non-motorized craft a safe area to enjoy the lake and to protect shoreline erosion from excessive wakes.

Jay Schmidt of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary says that many people don’t recognize the law, but will see more enforcement this summer.

While there is no speed limit on Lake Tahoe, the 5 mph speed is enforcement in buoy fields/marinas and within 600’ of shoreline.

As well, boaters must obey any posted speed limits (on buoys) in other areas, such as the 5 mph limit in Emerald Bay.