Suspended Sediment Concentration (Tributaries)
This indicator measures suspended sediment concentrations in Lake Tahoe's tributaries. Sediment (particularly fine sediment) delivered to Lake Tahoe is known to directly affect the transparency of Lake Tahoe. Suspended sediment concentration is the amount of organic and inorganic particles suspended in water in the stream. Excessive amounts of suspended sediment are the leading cause of impairment in streams and lakes of the United States. Landscape disturbances including, but not limited to, impervious road and parking lot surfaces, residential and commercial development, wildfire, and the degradation of stream environment zones, can contribute to sediment inputs to the lake and its tributaries. Suspended sediment concentrations are monitored in Lake Tahoe's tributaries through the Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program (LTIMP).
Status
Evaluation Map
Water Quality Monitoring Location
2019 Evaluation
- Status
- Considerably Better Than Target
- Trend
- Little or No Change
- Confidence
- Low
Applicable Standard
WQ18: Attain a 90 percentile value for suspended sediment concentration of 60 mg/1.
Key Points
- Suspended sediment from Tahoe's tributaries has declined significantly since the USGS began routine measurement in 1969.
- Reducing sediment loading is critical because excesses loading of fine sediments is the primary driver of clarity decline.
Delivering and Measuring Success
Example EIP Projects
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High Meadows/Cold Creek Restoration
This project completed by the USDA Forest Service restored two miles Cold Creek stream channel in the High Meadows area.
Monitoring Programs