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Acres of "Prime" Fish Habitat

This indicator measures the extent of rocky substrates in Lake Tahoe’s nearshore (i.e., littoral zone) known as “prime” fish habitat. Prime fish habitat is defined as areas that satisfy habitat requirements critical to the distribution of fish or important components of their food chains and life cycles. Regional efforts such as limiting impacts of piers and reducing fine sediment deposit into prime fish habitat aim to improve overall lake habitat. TRPA uses remote sensing methods to determine the amount of prime fish habitat within Lake Tahoe. 

 

Acres Of Prime Fish Habitat - photo by Raja Pal.jpg

Status

Acres of different fish habitat types in Lake Tahoe. Currently, there is more "prime/excellent" fish habitat, which is a combination of spawning (37 acres) and feed-cover habitat (6,095 acres), than required by TRPA. Therefore, the Basin is currently meeting its goals for providing fish habitat in Lake Tahoe.

 

Evaluation Map

Nearshore fish habitat types in Lake Tahoe; marginal (gold), feed-cover (green), and spawning (purple).

2019 Evaluation

Status
At or Somewhat Better Than Target
Trend
Insufficient Data to Determine Trend
Confidence
High
View Evaluation

Applicable Standard

A nondegradation standard shall apply to fish habitat in Lake Tahoe. Achieve the equivalent of 5,948 total acres of excellent habitat as indicated by the Prime Fish Habitat Overlay Map, which may be amended based on best available science.

Key Points

  • Based on analysis of remotely sensed data collected in August 2010 and 2015 estimated that there are about 6,135 acres of “prime” fish habitat in Lake Tahoe’s nearshore/littoral zone, the Basin is meeting the adopted management target of 5,948 acres.
  • Projects that impact fish habitat in Lake Tahoe are required to mitigate impacts and the project must result in more "prime" fish habitat than existed prior to the project.
  • Since 1989, TRPA has regulated construction within Lake Tahoe’s littoral zones. TRPA has not permitted the unmitigated construction of piers, boat launches, or other developments that would degrade or disturb the littoral substrate.
  • The standards focus on physical habitat requirements that may not reflect the status of native fish populations. Recent population surveys in Lake Tahoe show significant declines in native fish species in parts of the nearshore. Declines are likely the result of impacts from the presence of aquatic invasive species in the lake. While work to prevent new invasive species from entering the lake has been successful, mitigating the impact of previously introduced existing invasive species remains a high-priority challenge.

Delivering and Measuring Success

Example EIP Projects