Clean Up The Lake Completes Tahoe Deep Dive Pilot Project
Nonprofit organization Clean Up The Lake (CUTL) has successfully finished its Tahoe Deep Dive Pilot Project, a comprehensive initiative focused on studying and removing litter between 35 and 55 feet below Lake Tahoe's surface.
Advanced Deep-Water Techniques
Utilizing Diver Propulsion Vehicles and Nitrox, the team employed cutting-edge methods to enhance diver safety and efficiency, collecting crucial data to support future extensive underwater cleanup efforts.
Volunteer Effort and Cleanup Results
- The project ran from February to July 2025, spanning 14 cleanup days and 29 dives.
- 26 volunteers participated, filling 80 positions and contributing a total of 480 hours underwater and onshore.
- During the project, 1,933 pounds of litter—comprising 1,042 individual items—were removed from 6.1 miles of lakebed and 4.75 miles of Placer County shoreline.
- Frequently recovered debris included 248 glass bottles, 21 anchors, and various metal, plastic, and recreational waste.
Preliminary Analysis and Broader Impact
Preliminary data indicates that if debris concentrations in this pilot area are representative of the entire lake, there could be over 29,000 pounds of litter and 17,000 items remaining at comparable depths throughout Lake Tahoe.
The project sets a critical foundation for scaling deep-water cleanup operations and highlights the persistent challenge of underwater pollution in Lake Tahoe.
Author’s summary: The pilot project by Clean Up The Lake demonstrated innovative deep-water cleanup methods, removing nearly two thousand pounds of litter and revealing extensive underwater pollution in Lake Tahoe.