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Basics
Focus Area - Nearshore Clarity
Nearshore clarity refers to the transparency or clearness of water in the nearshore. Both California and Nevada recognize the unique ecological and aesthetic values of the nearshore environment, and both have adopted standards to protect the beneficial use and water quality of the nearshore, including water clarity.
Secchi disk transparency is measured in the pelagic zone of Lake Tahoe, but this approach does not work in the littoral (nearshore) zone where water depth is insufficient for the method. Instead, instrument measurements of turbidity and light transmissivity are used as metrics of nearshore clarity.
Secchi disk transparency is measured in the pelagic zone of Lake Tahoe, but this approach does not work in the littoral (nearshore) zone where water depth is insufficient for the method. Instead, instrument measurements of turbidity and light transmissivity are used as metrics of nearshore clarity.
State of Knowledge
No single turbidity measurement taken in recent lake-wide circuits exceeded the existing TRPA threshold standard of one nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU).
The 2017 State of the Lake Report reviewed newly-gathered continuous turbidity measurements in relation to physical processes, and noted that measured elevated turbidity was often correlated with elevated wave height.
Findings
No Monitoring Programs are yet associated with this Focus Area.