Scientists worried about tiny Tahoe creatures dying
By Jeff DeLong, Reno Gazette-Journal
A first-of-its-kind circuit by scuba divers around Lake Tahoe is complete. Now, experts are seeking to understand worrying changes on the bottom of the landmark alpine lake.
Members of the scuba team that 13 years ago reached the wreck of a famous steamer sunk in Tahoe’s frigid depths completed the first circumnavigation of the lake by divers in October. Scientists are examining the data collected to understand why some of the lake’s tiniest bottom dwellers and the plants they depend on appear to be disappearing at an alarming rate.
The dive team will likely cast significant light on an issue of mounting concern, scientists said.
“We basically have new habitats being created in the shallows,” said Sudeep Chandra, a freshwater science expert at the University of Nevada, Reno. The lake bottom, Chandra said, serves as the “backbone” for chemical cycling of the lake’s waters. Changes now taking place could come with profound effects.
“It’s the sponge of the lake, basically,” Chandra said. “Protecting Lake Tahoe and its clarity in the long run is really dependent on a functional lake bottom.”
The USFS is about to decimate the only colony of native pearshell mussel on the truckee river in Tahoe in the name restoration…. These invertebrates are over 100 years old… They were a cultural resource for the washoe and improve water quality.. How come nobody is worried about that? How can the agencies allow this to happen? Especially in light of recent data. We worry about an ugly native plant the yellow cress and spend tons of money trying to conserve it, but are willing to destroy an integral species that can’t defend itself. Why does noone care about this?
I thought i read something awhile back about how they were collecting mussels to repopulate the area, or had some contingency plan. Anyone remember this?
Duke, while working in the Truckee River stream zone along the airport section looking for mosquito larvae, I encountered the CTC folks multiple times doing work on relocating beds of mussels this last summer in preparation for the realignment of that section of the Truckee.
There was this story on LTN: https://www.laketahoenews.net/2014/09/usfs-trying-to-save-native-river-mussel-in-tahoe/
LTN staff
The TMDL studies show that the Upper Truckee River contributes 1 or 2% AT MOST to sedimentation of the lake and loss of clarity. Some of the river restoration projects may have merit but I think a lot of them are “make work” projects.
I think if you read the article about working on the meadows there was no mention of working on the upper truckee.
Toogee’s comment.