Clean Up The Lake Completes Tahoe Deep Dive Pilot Project
Nonprofit organization Clean Up The Lake has successfully finished its Tahoe Deep Dive Pilot Project, a research and cleanup initiative investigating litter and aquatic health between 35 and 55 feet below Lake Tahoe's surface.
Utilizing Diver Propulsion Vehicles and Nitrox gas, the team tested advanced deep-water techniques to boost diver safety and efficiency while collecting essential data for future underwater cleanup efforts.
Project Overview and Results
- Duration: February to July 2025
- Cleanup Days: 14
- Total Dives: 29
- Volunteers: 26 individuals filling 80 volunteer positions
- Volunteer Hours: 480 (including underwater and shore work)
- Litter Removed: 1,933 pounds across 6.1 miles of lakebed and 4.75 miles of Placer County shoreline
- Items Collected: 1,042, including 248 glass bottles and 21 anchors
Recovered debris mainly consisted of glass, metal, plastic, and recreational equipment.
Preliminary Findings
Preliminary analysis indicates that if the debris concentrations found in the pilot zones reflect conditions throughout Lake Tahoe, there could be over 29,000 pounds of litter and roughly 17,000 items at similar depths beneath the lake's surface.
Implications for Future Cleanup
The project’s findings and tested methods will help guide larger scale underwater cleanup initiatives aimed at restoring and preserving Lake Tahoe's aquatic environment.
Author's summary: The pilot project advanced deep-water cleanup techniques, engaging volunteers to remove nearly two tons of debris, revealing significant underwater litter that demands continued restoration efforts.