Your Page Title

Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the United States and the eleventh deepest in the world. It is a freshwater lake lying between California and Nevada that was formed by normal block faulting roughly 2 million years ago. While uplifting created the Carson and Sierra Nevada Ranges, down-dropped blocks created the Lake Tahoe Basin lying in between. The physical landscape of the basin as we know it today was primarily formed by the movement of massive continental glaciers. Physical alteration of the landscape continues under the influence of climate and human development.

(USGS DEM)

Soils of the Basin are largely granitic, having derived from Granodiorite as well as volcanic Andesite. In some areas (primarily at higher elevations) the Granodiorite and other metamorphic rocks remain unweathered and exposed at the surface. On the lower slopes and in the valleys of the Basin, well-drained colluvial soils dominate.These are formed from glacial outwash.

Glacial outwash

Glacial outwash profile (>65%gravel)

Climate in the area ranges from sub-arid (annual precipitation approx. 65cm) on the eastern extremity of the basin to sub-humid (approx. 140cm) on the west, with most precipitation falling as snow. This is indicative of large annual run-offs coinciding with the spring melt of the snowpack. Over 25 streams drain into the lake, while only one, the Truckee River, flows out. Vegetation in the Basin varies with precipitation and soil type. A large part of the area is dominated by a mixed-coniferous forest consisting of both Jeffery and Lodgepole Pine as well as White and Red Firs. Large areas of ecologically sensitive wetland meadows and riparian zones bordering the many streams and rivers are also present. Many dry meadows can be found close by areas of rock outcrop.

Wet Meadow

NEXT

(1 of 2)