Going the Depths for Tahoe: Clean Up the Lake Completes Deep Dive Pilot Project
Nonprofit organization Clean Up The Lake (CUTL) has finished its Tahoe Deep Dive Pilot Project, a focused research and cleanup effort examining underwater litter and ecosystem health at depths between 35 and 55 feet in Lake Tahoe.
Advanced Methods for Underwater Cleanup
The team utilized Diver Propulsion Vehicles and Nitrox to enhance diver safety and efficiency while collecting vital data. These innovations aimed to optimize future large-scale cleanup efforts beneath the lake’s surface.
Project Scope and Volunteer Engagement
- Duration: February through July 2025
- 14 cleanup days completed
- Total dives: 29
- Volunteers: 26 individuals filling 80 positions
- Volunteer hours: 480, both underwater and on shore
Cleanup Results
The team removed a total of 1,933 pounds of litter, comprising 1,042 separate items, from 6.1 miles of lakebed and 4.75 miles of shoreline in Placer County. Key recovered debris included common items such as 248 glass bottles, 21 anchors, and various metal, plastic, and recreational waste.
Preliminary Insights
Preliminary data analysis suggests that if the debris density found in this pilot area is similar throughout Lake Tahoe, the lake could contain more than 29,000 pounds of litter and 17,000 items at comparable depths.
Author's summary: This project demonstrates the effectiveness of advanced diving technology in underwater lake cleanup, revealing significant debris accumulation that points to the need for larger-scale efforts.