General Information

About Lake Tahoe and the Area

About Lake Tahoe

Size:  Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake on the North American
continent. It is 12 miles wide, 22 miles long and has a surface area of
122,628 acres or 191.6 square miles.

Elevations:  The average surface of Lake Tahoe is 6,226.95 feet above
sea level.  The highest peak rising directly from the shoreline is Mt.
Tallac at 9,735 feet.  The highest point in Basin is Freel Peak at
10,881 feet.  Skiers can start runs at up to 10,100 feet.

Water Temperature:  The upper 12 feet of the lake can warm to 68
degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.  Below 700 feet and in the winter,
the temperature remains a constant 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

Volume:  Lake Tahoe holds an estimated 122,000,000 acre feet of water
or 39,750,000,000,000 gallons; Yes 39.75 trillion gallons!  That's
enough to cover the entire state of California with 14 inches of water.
The water that evaporates from Lake Tahoe each day is enough to supply
3,500,000 people with water that day.

Depth:  The average depth of Lake Tahoe is 989 feet.  The deepest point
is 1,645 feet.  It is the third deepest lake in North America.  The
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation controls the top 6.1 feet of the lake as a
reservoir.

Purity:  The water in Lake Tahoe is 99.9% pure, about the same as
distilled water.  It is so clear that a dinner plate can be seen 75
feet below the surface.

Climate:  The sun shines at Lake Tahoe during more than 84% of the year
or over 307 days.  The average temperature in January ranges from 18 to
36 degrees.  Direct sunlight can raise the reading to nearly 100
degrees.  Except for periods of heavy snowfall, the climate is dry.  In
July, the average daytime high temperature is 78 degrees with little or
no humidity.

Snowfall:  The snowfall at Tahoe's ski resorts ranges from 300 to 500
inches each year.  At lake level, annual snowfall averages 125 inches.
The ski season usually begins in November and ends in April.  We have,
however, seen it snow in every month of the year.  --  Some impressive
records from the winter of 1992 - 93:  Alpine Meadows - 173 inches in
December.  Squaw Valley - 194 inches in December. Kirkwood - 700 inches
total snowfall.


Lake Tahoe is 98 miles northeast of Sacramento, California and 58 miles
southwest of Reno, Nevada.  Drive Around Lake Tahoe - 72 miles.

The lake covers the California/Nevada border; 70% in California and 30%
in Nevada.  Lake Tahoe is further west than Los Angeles.


Things To Do At South Lake Tahoe:

BICYCLING  --  Spring - Summer
Fall Bring your bike or rent one and explore miles of paved trails
leading through meadows, forest and along sunny beaches.  For the
mountain bikers there are over 100 miles of marked trails around
Lake Tahoe.

FISHING  --  Spring - Summer - Fall
Winter Fishermen find Lake Tahoe both giving and challenging.
Charter a boat and guide and go after giant Lake Trout or Kokanee
Salmon or just drop a line at the shore for Rainbow Trout or take
to the high country for Brook and Golden Trout in the lakes and
streams.  There's even a lake just for the kids that is stocked
several time each year.

GOLF  --  Spring - Summer - Fall
The South Shore has five golf courses:
Edgewood Tahoe              702 588-3566
Lake Tahoe Golf Course      530 577-0788
Tahoe Paradise              530 577-2121
Bijou Municipal             530 544-5500
Glenbrook                   702 749-5201

HIKING / BACKPACKING / HORSEBACK RIDING   --  Spring - Summer - Fall
The Tallac Historic Site near Camp Richardson is a great place to
start. The wilderness experience can begin with a hike down the
Rainbow Trail and through the Forest Service stream profile chamber
at Taylor Creek. Many trails are only a few hundred yards to
spectacular waterfalls and rushing creeks above Emerald Bay.  For
day hiking and backpacking, the Desolation Wilderness to the west
of Lake Tahoe offers hikers hidden alpine lakes and massive granite
peaks.  The Tahoe Rim Trail has nearly seventy-five (75) miles of
maintained trails with breathtaking vistas of Lake Tahoe.  There
are five well marked trail heads around the lake.  Several stables
offer sunrise breakfast, lunch, or dinner trail rides.

RIVER RAFTING  --  Spring - Summer - Fall
Several rafting companies offer a variety of float and whitewater
trips. For more details call Whitewater Rafting Trips - 800
336-7238 or Whitewater Excitement, Inc. - 800 750-2386.

RUNNING  --  Spring - Summer - Fall
Throughout the spring and summer the local community stages events
including the Lake Tahoe Annual Triathalon which are open to the
public. The Tahoe area is especially rewarding for runners because
of the climate, clean air and beautiful scenery.

SAILING / WIND SURFING
WATER SKIING / JET SKIING  --  Spring - Summer - Fall
There are several marinas where you can launch or rent sail boats,
power boats, ski boats, jet skis, wind surfing or other equipment.
Instruction is also available.

SWIMMING  --  Summer
There are many public beaches all around Lake Tahoe, the shallow
water can warm to near 70 degrees in July, August and September.

TENNIS  --  Spring - Summer
Fall For information on public tennis courts in South Lake Tahoe
call 541-4611  and in Zephyr Cove call 588-7230.

SKIING  --  Winter - Spring
There are over 15 downhill ski resorts less than 50 miles from
Lake Tahoe. The largest ski resort at Lake Tahoe is Heavenly
Valley.

SLEIGH RIDES and CARRIAGE RIDES  --  Winter - Spring - Summer - Fall
Call Borges Carriage & Sleigh Rides at  541-2953.

SNOWMOBILING  --  Winter Tahoe Paradise Sports   530 577-2121
Lake Tahoe Winter Sports Center      530 577-2940
Zephyr Cove Snowmobile Center        702 588-3833