Managing the Flow of Water in the Tahoe Basin
March 6, 2026 | Member Submitted
Rain and snow events have added an estimated 16 billion gallons of water to Lake Tahoe since Feb. 15, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. While the lake covers roughly 190 square miles, only about 35 percent of that water falls directly on the lake’s surface. Most precipitation lands across the surrounding watershed, a 310-square-mile landscape of forests, meadows, streams, and neighborhoods that ultimately drains into the lake.
The intensity of recent storms and the visible dirt and sediment on our roads underscore why stormwater management and water flow restoration projects are critical to protect Lake Tahoe. Property owners contribute by installing and maintaining Best Management Practices (BMPs), while Team Tahoe partners through the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) implement large-scale solutions across the basin.
These efforts include stormwater infrastructure and the restoration of meadows and Stream Environment Zones, which slow runoff, filter pollutants, and restore the natural processes that clean water before it reaches Lake Tahoe.
Photo TRPA