Clean Up The Lake Completes Tahoe Deep Dive Pilot Project
Nonprofit organization Clean Up The Lake (CUTL) successfully finished its Tahoe Deep Dive Pilot Project, a focused research and cleanup effort investigating litter and aquatic health at depths between 35 and 55 feet in Lake Tahoe.
Project Overview
From February to July 2025, the team employed Diver Propulsion Vehicles and Nitrox to enhance diver safety and efficiency while collecting crucial data for future large-scale underwater cleanups. These advanced techniques helped optimize the research and removal process.
Volunteer Engagement and Effort
- 14 cleanup days completed
- 29 dives conducted
- 26 unique volunteers participated
- 80 volunteer positions filled
- 480 volunteer hours logged underwater and onshore
Results of the Cleanup
The team removed a total of 1,933 pounds of litter, comprising 1,042 individual items, from 6.1 miles of lakebed and 4.75 miles of Placer County shoreline. The most common debris included:
- 248 glass bottles
- 21 anchors
- Various metal, plastic, and recreational waste
Insights from Preliminary Data
Preliminary analysis indicates that if the debris density in this pilot zone is representative of the entire lake, there could be over 29,000 pounds of litter and 17,000 items hidden at similar depths across Lake Tahoe.
Author's Summary: The Clean Up The Lake team demonstrated effective deep-water cleanup methods, removing substantial litter from Lake Tahoe and revealing the potential scale of submerged pollution still needing attention.