marinas

We are into the first part of the month of April, winter is behind us, and the outlook is grim for the rest of the year due to our prolonged drought. Here are some things that are currently occurring and will probably occur:

Snow: Our Sierra Nevada snowpack is either non-existent or minimal at best. There are very few snowdrifts across higher elevation hiking trails. Deep snowfields and snowdrifts in the mountains are things of the past. The peaks are bare rather than smooth white with lots of snow.

Top experts will converge at Lake Tahoe in September for the annual meeting of the Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species, hosted by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

Taking place Sept. 2-4, the annual meeting brings together officials from across the country in the fight against western expansion of aquatic invasive species. Participants will learn from informative lectures and discussions to foster coordination of aquatic invasive species management among western states. This event is open to the public.

Beginning Oct. 1, boat inspections at Lake Tahoe will move to select launch ramps and winter hours will begin. Tahoe RCD inspectors will be stationed at the Cave Rock boat launch from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week, weather permitting.

No inspector will be stationed at Lake Forest boat launch from Sept. 8 through Jan. 2, 2015 due to a rehabilitation project. Inspections will be available at Lake Forest once the project is complete. Please call the hotline for availability of alternative inspection options.

Tahoe Resource Conservation District watercraft inspectors stopped a boat with quagga mussels and an unidentified snail species hiding in the anchor locker, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency announced Thursday.

The boat, coming from Lake Mead, a known quagga-infested water body, was inspected Wednesday at the Spooner Summit inspection station on Highway 50 in Nevada.

The July 4th holiday and fireworks celebrations always bring a welcomed influx of boaters to the Lake Tahoe Basin. With sunny skies and warm temperatures predicted for the 4th of July holiday week, boaters are urged to Clean, Drain and Dry their boats before arriving at the roadside inspection stations in Tahoe to avoid delays and decontamination fees. As a reminder, all stations close at 5:30 p.m., so please plan your travel accordingly.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife along with local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and several private businesses in Nevada are joining boating safety advocates across the U.S. and Canada to promote safe and responsible boating during National Safe Boating Week, May 17-23 and through the entire summer.

Headed up to Lake Tahoe for some spring boating? Most roadside stations for inspections and decontaminations of motorized boats and watercraft will begin Thursday, kicking off the 2014 boating season.

A station at Highway 267 south of Truckee will open May 22. Because of budget constraints, the station at Homewood is closed.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board approved a $10 fee hike Thursday for its watercraft inspection, invasive species decontamination program, reduced marina funding for the programs and agreed to close an inspection facility at Homewood, officials said.

The fee hike was one of the changes to the watercraft inspection program recommended by the multi-agency Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinating Committee following a reduction in the federal funding that has helped support the program since it began in 2009, according to a news release.

With more than 14,000 inspections made thus far, Lake Tahoe’s waters remain free of new invasive species, a major threats to the overall health of Lake Tahoe and surrounding water bodies, according to watercraft inspection data and scientific reports.

During the 2013 boating season Tahoe Resource Conservation District watercraft inspectors performed more than 7,000 new inspections, including both newly inspected vessels and those with intact Tahoe-issued inspection seals.

Plans for vessels that would ferry up to 150 local commuters as well as visitors on Lake Tahoe with marina stops on the north and south shores are available for public comment through Jan. 3, 2014.

Boaters planning to launch at Lake Tahoe over Memorial Day Weekend are reminded to arrive at one of five watercraft inspection stations clean, drained and dry in order to get through the inspection process and out on the water more quickly.

All boats entering Lake Tahoe without a Lake Tahoe wire inspection seal are required to go through a mandatory inspection and purchase an inspection sticker as part of the public, private, multi-agency effort to protect Lake Tahoe from aquatic invasive species (AIS). Inspection stations are located at:

Boaters heading to Lake Tahoe in the next six weeks may experience a short delay when entering Emerald Bay due to an Asian clam control project that will be taking place there.

A team of partners from the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Program is scheduled to begin implementation of the largest Asian clam control project in the history of Lake Tahoe on October 15, with plans to treat an area of up to 5 acres at the mouth of Emerald Bay.

Following a stellar Lake Tahoe boating season, this Thursday, September 20th will be the last day of operations for the Northstar and Homewood boat inspection stations. Boat inspections and decontaminations will still be available at the Alpine, Spooner and Meyers stations until Sept. 30 2012.

A water taxi service based at Camp Richardson Resort connects locals and visitors to lakeside marinas, enhancing economic activity on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. The service offers stops at three marinas providing access to recreation, sightseeing, dining and shopping.

The July 4th Holiday and fireworks celebrations always bring an influx of boaters to the Lake Tahoe Basin. With sunny skies and warm temperatures predicted for the 4th of July holiday week, boaters are urged to Clean, Drain and Dry their boats before arriving at one of 5 roadside inspection stations in the Tahoe to avoid delays and decontamination fees.

Roadside stations for inspections and decontaminations of motorized boats and watercraft are officially open for the 2012 boating season at five locations entering the Lake Tahoe Basin.
“Boat inspections are critical to maintaining the health of Lake Tahoe and our local recreation-based economy,” said Ted Thayer, TRPA’s Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator. “Through the efforts of the Tahoe Resource Conservation District’s well-trained inspectors and other private and public partners committed to the Lake, we expect to have another successful season.”

Here is this week's fishing report for January 18-25. This report covers streams, lakes and rivers in Nevada, Northern California, southern Oregon and the Sierra.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:

By Kristi Boosman
Paddlers at Lake Tahoe who enjoy the peace and solitude of skimming over crystal clear waters can now join the Tahoe Keepers stewardship community to protect Lake Tahoe from aquatic invasive species, according to an invasive species multi-agency committee.

ANTELOPE LAKE, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
Rick and Patti Apted - Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425) (www.lakesabrinaboatlanding.com) reports:
Sabrina Lake:
Well, I do believe Summer is here! Wooo-Hooo!

What do six months of record snowfall mean for South Lake Tahoe this summer? It translates to pure blue energy on and off the water, reports the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.

By Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association
With the substantial amount of rain the region has received this winter and spring, the water levels are up and enticing.
Not to mention summer is just around the corner!

It’s time to start planning your houseboat vacation in the Shasta Cascade region and enjoy an experience to remember.

Depending on which houseboat you choose, you can be sliding down two or three story waterslides into the cool, refreshing lake water.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board has agreed to appeal to the 9th Circuit District Court a September federal district court ruling that struck down updated ordinances for the shorezone of Lake Tahoe, according to its website.