One of our viewers wrote in asking why Sand Harbor boat launch is staying closed all summer? Our viewer asked if recent storms have made a difference in Tahoe's water level?
I spoke with the Park Service and Chad Blanchard, the federal water master. Right now Lake Tahoe's water level is at 6,224 feet elevation. The Park Service says the minimum level to safely operate the boat launch is 6,224.5 feet. So the lake level is already below that. Blanchard points out the lake level is already below where it was in July of 2021. Spring run-off is helping to raise the lake level incrementally, but not enough to make a significant difference.
There are other boat launches will be open this summer. Those include Cave Rock, Tahoe Vista and Lake Forest as well as the marinas at Tahoe.