About 2 million years ago, lava flowing from north shore's Mt. Pluto formed a barrier across the basin's northeastern outlet. Water from rivers and streams then filled the Lake Tahoe Basin over 600 feet higher than its present level!Rivers Of Ice: A Daily Grind
Over the past million years, extended cold periods known as the Ice Ages caused huge glaciers to grow in the surrounding mountains. The broad U-shaped valleys that hold Emerald Bay, Fallen Leaf Lake, and Cascade Lake were carved by these rivers of ice.How large and deep is Lake Tahoe?
Lake Tahoe is 22 miles long, 12 miles wide, and has 72 miles of shoreline. Lake Tahoe's greatest depth of 1,595 feet makes it the third deepest lake in North America and the tenth deepest in the world. The bottom of the lake is actually 92 feet below the level of Carson City, Nevada.How much water is in Lake Tahoe?
Over 37 trillion gallons. If completely drained, Lake Tahoe could cover a flat area the size of California to a depth of 14 inches, but would take over 700 years to refill.
What's the elevation?
Where does the water go?
Why is it so blue?
How cold is the water?
Does it ever freeze?
How clear is it?
Is Lake Tahoe's clarity threatened?