Nonprofit Clean Up The Lake has launched an expansive underwater clean up in Fallen Leaf Lake revealing the Tahoe Basin’s “dirtiest mile yet,” according to a press release from the organization.
The dive team composed of volunteers and team members removed 3,000 lbs. of trash and 100 tires in 1 mile of shoreline.
“With new data being gathered in Fallen Leaf Lake, the organization has had a chance to shine new light on how widespread this pollution issue is, and how remediation projects like this should hold a level of priority among environmental efforts in the regions surrounding polluted lakes in the Sierra, and across the country,” said Zac Smith, Clean Up the Lake’s outreach coordinator in the release.
Dive teams are circumnavigating and removing underwater litter from the subsurface shoreline of Fallen Leaf Lake. During the circumnavigation, divers are also recording data on heavy lift litter, hot spots and possible historical artifacts, along with monitoring for invasive species and algal blooms.
Funds are needed to complete the cleanup, with TIF’s Spiked and BlueZone providing matching funds for every donation on GoFundMe. | cleanupthelake.org
