Boating on Lake Tahoe and what you Need to know

The weather in Lake Tahoe has been spectacular the past few days and it looks like it going to stick around for a bit! All this warm weather is sending all of the boat enthusiasts running to get their prized possessions out of winter

Another picture Perfect day on Lake Tahoe

storage and on to the lake to enjoy one of the best things Tahoe has to offer.

The “Jewel  of the Sierra” which so many of us proudly call home, is also home to one the most popular activities in Lake Tahoe – Boating.  Whether the boats are big or small there are certain rules and regulations in place to help protect boaters and the clarity of Lake Tahoe.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (T.R.P.A.) along with Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) have joined up and come up with a plan to help prevent invasive aquatic species ( like the Quagga/Zebra mussels) from devastating the fragile eco-system that helps to make Lake Tahoe one of the cleanest clearest lakes around.

Know what invasive species look like & Report it to authorities.

Since there are so many locals and visitors a like who enjoy taking their boats to various lakes, the only way to prevent contamination is through boat inspections.  These inspections stations go over each boat very carefully inspecting it to ensure that it is clean and dry and also gather information from the boat owners as to where and when the boat was in a previous body of water.

Decontaminate your Boat and help Keep Tahoe Blue

If the boat is free of invasive species then it’s free to enter the lake, if not, then it must be decontaminated before it may launch.  For a full list of fees for boat sizes you can check here.

Last year 20 boats with the Quagga/Zebra or the Zealand mudsnail were stopped from entering the Lake.  You can check out where to get your boats inspected at Tahoe RCD. The TRPA and the Tahoe RCD take their jobs very seriously and there can be fines of up-to $5,000 for those who try to avoid inspections and decontamination sites. So do your part to help preserve the lake for the future.

Once your boat is inspected, you’ll need to make sure you have the proper equipment on board before you leave the dock.  Make sure you have the proper number of life-vest on board and that all children under the age of 13 are wearing their life-vest at all times. Also make sure there is a fire extinguisher along with a device to communicate help with should your boat come under distress.

Keeping these few things in mind before you launch your boat will help to ensure that you and your group have a safe and hassle free day of boating out on Lake Tahoe.