Is Lake Tahoe Full?

Almost! The legal limit for the lake is 6,229 feet. As of May 26, the current level per the US Geological Survey is 6,227 feet, and that level is rising every minute, because snow melt is gushing down from the mountains.

Upside? You will have no trouble launching your boat, and it's simply nice to know that there's a lot of water in storage. When the level rises to 6,229 feet, all extra water is released into the Truckee River, making rafting down from Tahoe City great fun.

Downside? The beaches are smaller than normal. When the lake level rises another two feet, there will be even less beach. After the lake rises to 6,229 feet, and, if snow melt continues very fast, any major thunderstorms will push the river toward flood stage, putting downtown Reno on edge. We hope that doesn't happen.

In the meantime, we are enjoying the water!

Dark Sky Lighting Coming To South Lake Tahoe

Anyone in an urban area who's ever wanted to see something in the night sky is typically frustrated by light pollution.

In the more rural parts of Tahoe, one can find fabulously dark night skies, the better for seeing stars, shooting stars (meteors), planets, and satellites such as the International Space Station.

However, those close to Tahoe towns, South Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, Tahoe City, and Truckee, will struggle to see what they want because even small towns produce too much light that often shines upward.

The new Dark Sky initiatives hope to change that. And South Lake Tahoe is playing its part by converting 200+ pedestrian walkway lights into specialty lights that have a lower color temperature (i.e., not so much blue light), and that shine more light toward the ground and less toward the sky.

The first area converted will be along El Dorado Beach where Highway 50 runs alongside the lake.

Here is a link for more information:

https://www.darksky.org/our-work/lighting/lighting-for-citizens/lighting-basics/

Enjoy the night!

Pollock Pines Library Talk

In the last 20 years I've spoken at more libraries than I can count. Several dozen across Northern California and Northern Nevada.

Next month I speak at one of the few I've never visited.

The Pollock Pines Library is part of the El Dorado County library system. Everybody who's ever driven to Tahoe on Highway 50 has driven within a block of the library. If you take the Sly Park exit, drive north a block, then drive west on Pony Express Trail a couple of blocks, you go right past it on the south side of Pony Express Trail. Watch for the signs, as parking is around back.

The address is 6210 Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines. The RSVP phone number is 530-644-2498.

Pollock Pines Library

I'll be speaking on Friday, June 23, 2023 4-5 p.m. I'm giving a talk about writing and my most recent book TAHOE MOON.

On the library website, they ask that you RSVP if you are planning to come. So please pay them the courtesy of a phone call at 530-644-2498 in advance. If they know you're coming, that will also save you the trouble of showing up and possibly not getting a seat.

For those of you who are aware of my books, I should point out that my upcoming book, Tahoe Flight, isn't published until August, so I won't be focusing on the new book.

As always, I will be answering all questions about the books and the process of writing. I might even have a dog story or two!

My talk starts at 4 p.m. You may want to arrive a bit early.

Thanks for your interest, and I hope to see you there!

Pollock Pines Public Library is located at

6210 Pony Express Trail, Pollock Pines 530.644.2498