Lake Tahoe Facts
Lake Tahoe Facts
|
| Interesting Lake Tahoe Facts: |
|---|
| Lake Tahoe's name is derived from a Washoe Native American term 'da ow a ga' meaning 'edge of the lake.' |
| Lake Tahoe is an alpine lake which means its elevation is very high, and its water is colder, which decreases the ability of moss and algae to grow. This means it is a clearer lake than lower elevation lakes. |
| Lake Tahoe's maximum width is 12 miles; its maximum length is 22 miles; its maximum depth is 1645 feet. Lake Tahoe's average depth is 1000 feet. Its surface area is 191 square miles. |
| It is believed that the Lake Tahoe basin was formed approximately two to three million years ago, when the earth's crust cracked and blocks of land moved, creating Lake Tahoe's basin, the Carson Range, and the Sierra Nevada. This is called geological block faulting. |
| Lake Tahoe is the United States' second deepest lake and the 16th deepest lake in the world. |
| Approximately two-thirds of Lake Tahoe's shoreline is located in California. |
| Cities on the shores of Lake Tahoe include South Lake Tahoe, Stateline, and Tahoe City. |
| Much of Lake Tahoe's shoreline is protected by the United States Forest Service, or they are otherwise protected because they lie within the borders of a state park. |
| There are 63 tributaries providing Lake Tahoe with a lot of its water. It is estimated that approximately half of the lake's water is derived from rain or snow landing in the lake itself. |
| The temperature at the surface of Lake Tahoe is between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months and between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter months. |
| Lake Tahoe's water is not as clear as it once was. Readings of the water's clarity began in the 1960s and since then it decreased from 100 feet to 64.1 feet in 1997. However efforts to improve the environment have led to improved clarity, by 20% between 2011 and 2014. |
| Despite reductions in clarity, Lake Tahoe's water is exceptionally pure at 99.994% pure. |
| It is estimated that Lake Tahoe holds 39 trillion gallons of water. A dam at its outlet controls its outflow. |
| Lake Tahoe is believed to be one of the 20 oldest lakes on earth. |
| Lake Tahoe does not freeze over due to the tremendous amount of water it contains, but in some areas the shoreline may develop a thin sheet of ice. |
| Lake Tahoe is a popular tourist destination with approximately three million visitors each year. |
|
Related Links: Facts US National Landmarks Facts Animals Facts |