In The News – Going Deeper for Tahoe: Clean up the Lake completes Tahoe Deep Dive Pilot Project
November 3, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 11/3/2025, Staff Report
Clean Up The Lake (CUTL) has completed its Tahoe Deep Dive Pilot Project, an ambitious research and cleanup effort exploring litter accumulation and aquatic health between 35 and 55 feet beneath the surface of Lake Tahoe. Using Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPVs) and Nitrox, the team tested advanced deep-water methods to increase diver efficiency and safety while gathering critical data to guide future large-scale underwater cleanup operations.
THE STATISTICS
From February through July 2025, CUTL conducted 14 cleanup days totaling 29 dives, engaging 26 unique volunteers who filled 80 volunteer positions and contributed 480 hours both underwater and onshore. The team removed 1,933 pounds of litter, consisting of 1,042 individual items, from 6.1 miles of lakebed and 4.75 miles of Placer County shoreline. Commonly recovered materials included 248 glass bottles, 21 anchors, and a range of metal, plastic, and recreational debris.
Photo: Clean up the Lake