Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada, straddling the border between California and Nevada in the United States. It covers about 191 square miles (495 square kilometers) and is roughly 22 miles (35 km) long and 12 miles (19 km) wide. The surface elevation is about 6,223 feet (1,898 meters) above sea level. It is among the deepest and clearest lakes in North America, with a maximum depth of about 1,645 feet (501 meters) and a volume of about 39 cubic miles. Water clarity historically exceeded 100 feet, though Secchi depth has declined in recent decades due to development, runoff, and drought, with readings around 70 feet in some periods.

Water enters Lake Tahoe from streams and snowmelt in the surrounding mountains, while the primary outflow is the Truckee River, which flows north to Pyramid Lake in Nevada. The lake sits in the Tahoe Basin, which spans parts of California’s Placer, El Dorado and Alpine Counties and Nevada’s Washoe County. Surrounding communities include South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City on the California side and Incline Village and Stateline on the Nevada side.

Indigenous peoples, including the Paiute and Washoe, inhabited the region for centuries. The name Tahoe is derived from a Washoe word meaning “the lake” or “big water.” European exploration began in the 19th century, and development for tourism expanded in the 20th century.

Governing and planning responsibilities are shared among federal, state, and local agencies, with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency coordinating land use since 1969. Environmental concerns include drought, nutrient loading, sedimentation, and invasive species, all affecting water quality and ecosystem health. The basin supports multiple ski resorts and year-round outdoor recreation.