Tahoe Environmental Research Center Content

2025 Lake Tahoe Clarity Report Released

Katherine E Kerlin — June 09, 2026 - 8:30am

Staring into the depths of Lake Tahoe, you might think the view goes on forever. But researchers at the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center have been tracking precisely how far a person can see through the famed lake’s waters for nearly 60 years and sharing the results in the annual Lake Tahoe Clarity Report.

Expedition to Antarctica: UC Davis Tracks Melting Glaciers

Katherine E Kerlin — January 23, 2026 - 1:31pm

UC Davis scientists are in Antarctica to deploy Gull, an autonomous underwater vehicle known as a glider, that will help us understand how fast one of the world’s biggest and most important glaciers — Thwaites — is melting. Thwaites Glacier and neighboring Pine Island Glacier are potential glacial flow from the West Antarctic ice sheets. If this system collapses, it could raise sea levels across the world.

Lake Tahoe Algae Experiment Suggests Seasonal Shifts Ahead

Katherine E Kerlin — October 06, 2025 - 9:06am

As the climate warms and nutrient inputs shift, algal communities in cool, clear mountain lakes like Lake Tahoe will likely experience seasonal changes, according to a study from the University of California, Davis.

Periphyton, that fuzzy layer of attached algae covering the rocks as you step into the water, is a healthy and critical part of a lake’s food web. Periphyton blooms, however, signal changes that can degrade both water quality and a shoreline’s natural beauty.

Schiff Joins UC Davis Researchers Monitoring Health of Lake Tahoe

Cody Kitaura — August 12, 2025 - 11:27am

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-California) peered into the crystal-blue depths of Lake Tahoe as a crew from the Tahoe Environmental Research Center, or TERC, lowered a white disk into the water. “I can see about 63 feet,” declared the first-term senator.

Tahoe State of the Lake Report Released for 2024

Katherine E Kerlin — July 17, 2025 - 9:00am

The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center today released its “Tahoe: State of the Lake Report ,” which presents data from 2024 in the context of the long-term record.

Lake Tahoe Clarity Report: Trend Stable, Not Improving

Katherine E Kerlin — June 16, 2025 - 5:35pm

UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center releases its annual Tahoe Clarity Report.

Extreme Weather Cycles Change Underwater Light at Tahoe

Katherine E Kerlin — May 21, 2025 - 9:00am

Large shifts in UV radiation at Lake Tahoe are associated with wet and dry climate extremes, finds a UC Davis study.

Clear Lake Water Quality Report Recommends Rehabilitation Strategy

Katherine E Kerlin — January 29, 2025 - 9:00am

Clear Lake's water quality suffers from low-to-no-oxygen conditions, finds a report from UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center.

Stephanie Hampton Appointed Director of the Tahoe Environmental Research Center

Katherine E Kerlin — November 15, 2024 - 12:30pm

Stephanie Hampton is the newly appointed director of the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, beginning in spring of 2025.

Annual Report on State of Lake Tahoe Shows Recent Impacts, Long-Term Trends

Andy Fell — August 08, 2024 - 11:02am

The annual “State of the Lake” report from the Tahoe Environmental Research Center at the University of California, Davis, released today (Aug. 8), shows how long-term climate trends continue to affect the iconic lake in complex ways. The report also describes how research at Lake Tahoe relates to work at other lakes in the U.S. and worldwide, including the development of new technology, and how citizens are contributing to preserving Tahoe’s natural beauty.