Going the Depths for Tahoe: Clean Up the Lake Completes Deep Dive Pilot Project
The nonprofit organization Clean Up The Lake (CUTL) has successfully completed its Tahoe Deep Dive Pilot Project — a large-scale research and cleanup initiative focused on studying litter accumulation and the ecological condition of Lake Tahoe at depths between 35 and 55 feet.
Project Scope and Methodology
Using Diver Propulsion Vehicles and Nitrox breathing gas, the team tested advanced deep-water exploration methods to improve diver efficiency, safety, and data quality. The insights gained will direct future underwater cleanup operations across the lake.
Effort and Participation
From February through July 2025, volunteers carried out 14 cleanup days and 29 dives. The project involved 26 unique volunteers filling 80 positions and contributing a total of 480 hours of work both underwater and along the shorelines.
Findings and Data
During the initiative, the team removed 1,933 pounds of litter composed of 1,042 distinct items from 6.1 miles of lakebed and 4.75 miles of Placer County shoreline.
- 248 glass bottles
- 21 anchors
- Various pieces of metal, plastic, and recreational debris
Preliminary data analysis suggests that if debris concentrations found in this pilot area are consistent around Lake Tahoe, there could be more than 29,000 pounds of litter and 17,000 items remaining at similar depths across the lake.
Outlook
The results of the pilot project underscore both the scale of underwater pollution and the importance of expanded cleanup efforts to protect Lake Tahoe’s aquatic health.
Author’s summary: Clean Up The Lake’s Deep Dive Pilot Project revealed significant underwater litter across Lake Tahoe, laying groundwork for broader restoration and future deep-clean efforts.