Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe is the largest freshwater lake. It is the highest lake of it’s size in the United States and the largest alpine lake in North America. Lake Tahoe is located on the border between California and Nevada, west of Carson City, Nevada. With a depth of 1,645 ft, it is America’s second deepest lake and the 16th deepest lake in the world.

Lake Tahoe was formed 2 million years ago by geological block faulting. It is part of what makes up the Lake Tahoe Basin with the shape being formed in the ice ages. The residence time (water) is 650 years.

Lake Tahoe was home of the Washoe Indians. They named the area "Da Ow aga", meaning the edge of the lake. In 1862 the U.S. Department of the Interior introduced the name Tahoe. It wasn’t until 1945 when the name Lake Tahoe stuck.

Much history was made here in Lake Tahoe. Kit Carson and John C. Fremont came upon Tahoe in 1844. The Comstock Lode in Virginia City, Nevada was discovered in 1859. A silver deposit just 15 miles east. This led to the logging of most of the national forest between 1858 and 1890. These timbers were used for the Comstock mines. It is home of the Donner Party and the 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley, USA.

Who wouldn’t want 75% sunshine all year round?  Tahoe is known for it’s beautiful weather all year round!  August is the warmest month of the year with it’s maximum temperature being 78 degrees F and the lowest being 40 degrees F.  The all time record for warmth in Tahoe was 99 degrees F on July 22nd, 1988.   The most precipitation falls as snow between November and April.  January is the coldest month of the year with a low of 15 degrees F and the high being 41 degrees F.  The all time record low was on December 9, 1972 and February 7, 1989 with the low of -29 degrees F.  75% of sun year round sure helps with those temperatures!!

Lake Tahoe is known for many things. Today it is a major tourist attraction. It is surrounded by a number of ski resorts. There are a variety of summer and winter outdoor recreations and tourist attractions all year round. There are so many attractions out there for people of all ages to enjoy. Snow and skiing play a major part in Tahoe’s economy. As well as the 24 hour casinos around the lake. In the winter there are plenty of options for you to enjoy such as, skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, sledding , tubing, and snowmobiling, etc. In the summer there are many recreational ideas such as hiking, boating, camping, fishing, golfing, horseback riding and of course biking. You cannot go wrong with all the amenities that Lake Tahoe has to offer. Being outdoors with all the beautiful panoramic views and lake scenery that Lake Tahoe is known for, you’ll think twice about where you live.

Facts About Lake Tahoe

Elevation: 6,229 ft

Max Length: 22 miles

Max Width: 12 miles

Max Depth: 1,645 ft

Volume: 39 trillion gallons or 122 million acre ft of water

Shore Length: 72 miles

Surface Area: 191 Sq miles

Coordinates: 39.5 degrees  N 120.4 degrees W

Snow Fall: 125inches at lake level

300-500 inches at ski resorts

Water Temp: 41 degrees F low - 68 degrees F high

Sunshine: 75% or 274 days a year GORGEOUS !!!!

Peaks and Mountains

Freel Peak …………10,891 ft
Mount Tallac ………9,735 ft
Monument Peak ..10,067 ft
Pyramid Peak ……..9,983 ft
Mount Rose ……..10,778 ft
Jobs Peak …………10,633 ft
Stevens Peak …….10,061 ft