History of Lake Tahoe in Timeline

Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater alpine lake located in the Sierra Nevada, on the border of California and Nevada. At an elevation of 6,225 feet, it's the largest alpine lake in North America and the second deepest lake in the United States, reaching a depth of 1,645 feet. In terms of volume, it is only surpassed by the Great Lakes in the United States. The lake is a notable landmark and a significant natural resource.

1900: Niagara scrapped

In 1900, the steamboat Niagara was scrapped at Tahoe City.

1910: Hayford ellipsoid used

Around 1910, the Hayford ellipsoid may have been used by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey for geographical coordinates.

1912: Congressional session to designate national park

During the 1912 Congressional session, congressmen unsuccessfully tried to designate the Tahoe basin as a national park.

1913: Congressional session to designate national park

During the 1913 Congressional session, congressmen unsuccessfully tried to designate the Tahoe basin as a national park.

1913: Lake Tahoe Dam built

In 1913, the Lake Tahoe Dam was built at the lake's only outlet, the Truckee River, at Tahoe City, to control the lake level.

1918: Congressional session to designate national park

During the 1918 Congressional session, congressmen unsuccessfully tried to designate the Tahoe basin as a national park.

1926: First Casino at Lake Tahoe

In 1926, the first casino at Lake Tahoe, the Cal-Neva Lodge, was built on the North Shore in Crystal Bay by Robert Sherman.

1929: Sale of Cal-Neva Lodge

In 1929, the Cal-Neva Lodge was sold to Bill Graham and Jim McKay after being the property of Norman Henry Biltz.

1929: Construction of Dolby Home

In 1929, the west shore lakefront home of Ray and Dagmar Dolby was built, which later served as a filming location for several movies.

1931: Legalization of Gambling in Nevada

In 1931, Nevada legalized gambling, which impacted the casinos already operating at Lake Tahoe.

1931: Tunnel blasted through Cave Rock

In 1931, a tunnel was blasted through Cave Rock for Highway 50, despite protests from the Washoe tribe, who considered it a sacred site.

1931: Construction of Stateline Country Club

In 1931, the Stateline Country Club, which was later purchased by Bill Harrah and became Harrah's Tahoe, had stood since 1931.

1934: Beaver re-introduction

In 1934, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service began re-introducing North American beaver to the Tahoe Basin.

1934: Mail contract given to Marian B

In 1934, the mail contract around Lake Tahoe was given to the 42-foot motorboat Marian B.

1935: Emerald (II) leaves Lake Tahoe

In 1935, the 60-foot Emerald (II) left Lake Tahoe to become a fishing boat in San Diego.

1937: Rebuilding of Cal-Neva Lodge

In 1937, the Cal-Neva Lodge was rebuilt after a fire.

1937: Construction of Crystal Bay Club

In 1937, the Crystal Bay Club was first built as the Ta-Neva-Ho on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe.

May 17, 1941: Loss of the Marian B

On May 17, 1941, the motorboat Marian B was lost during a storm while attempting mail delivery, leading to mail delivery moving ashore.

1942: Governor Stanford's boiler used at Glenbrook Inn and Ranch

Until 1942, the boiler of the steamboat Governor Stanford, which was beached at Glenbrook, was used for heating cottages at Glenbrook Inn and Ranch.

1944: Sockeye salmon transplant

In 1944, non-native sockeye salmon were transplanted from the North Pacific to Lake Tahoe.

1945: Name officially changed to Lake Tahoe

In 1945, the California State Legislature reversed its previous decision and officially changed the name of the lake to Lake Tahoe.

1949: Beaver re-introduction

By 1949, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service concluded re-introducing North American beaver to the Tahoe Basin.

1955: First Swim of Lake Tahoe

In 1955, Fred Rogers became the first person to swim the length of Lake Tahoe.

1957: Founding of the League to Save Lake Tahoe

In 1957, the League to Save Lake Tahoe was founded in response to a proposal to build a four-lane highway around the lake, including a bridge over Emerald Bay's entrance. The league has since opposed development projects in the area.

1960: Winter Olympics and Development Boom

In 1960, completion of interstate highway links for the Winter Olympics at Olympic Valley (Squaw Valley) resulted in a dramatic increase in development within the Lake Tahoe basin, leading to population growth.

1962: First Woman to Swim Lake Tahoe

In 1962, Erline Christopherson became the first woman to swim the length of Lake Tahoe.

1963: Introduction of Opossum Shrimp

In 1963, opossum shrimp (Mysis diluviana) were introduced to Lake Tahoe to enhance the food supply for the introduced Kokanee salmon.

1969: Lake Tahoe warming

Analysis of temperature records in Lake Tahoe showed that the lake warmed (between 1969 and 2002) at an average rate of 0.027 °F (0.015 °C) per year.

1969: Expansion of Cal-Neva Lodge

In 1969, the Cal-Neva Lodge was expanded, most notably with the construction of a high-rise hotel.

1969: Tahoe Regional Planning Agency established

In 1969, the U.S. Congress and the California and Nevada State Legislatures created a compact, establishing the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA).

1970: Lake Tahoe mixing depth

Since 1970, Lake Tahoe has mixed to a depth of at least 1,300 ft (400 m) a total of six or seven times.

1971: Decline of Cladoceran Populations

By 1971, the populations of cladocerans (Daphnia and Bosmina) in Lake Tahoe virtually disappeared due to the introduction of opossum shrimp which fed on them.

December 9, 1972: All-time minimum temperature

On December 9, 1972, the all-time minimum temperature of −16 °F (−27 °C) was recorded at the Lake Tahoe Airport.

1974: Filming of The Godfather Part II

In 1974, the film The Godfather Part II used the Fleur de Lac estate on Lake Tahoe as the location for several scenes, including the First Communion celebration and Fredo's execution.

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1980: Slowdown of development

By 1980, the permanent residential population of Lake Tahoe had increased significantly since 1960, but development slowed down due to controls on land use.

1980: Supreme Court hearing on boundary

In 1980, the Supreme Court of the United States partially heard a case involving conflict over legally binding surveys marking the California-Nevada boundary, where the doctrine of acquiescence was invoked.

1980: Tahoe Transportation District created

In 1980, the U.S. Congress amended the Compact with public law 96-551, designating a new agency, the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD).

1980: Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program

Since 1980, the Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program (LTIMP) has been measuring stream discharge and concentrations of nutrients and sediment in Lake Tahoe's tributary streams to support science-based environmental planning.

1987: Beaver population density

By 1987, the beaver populations on the upper and lower Truckee River reached a density of 0.72 colonies (3.5 beavers) per kilometer, descended from no more than nine individuals.

July 22, 1988: All-time maximum temperature

On July 22, 1988, the all-time maximum temperature of 99 °F (37 °C) was recorded at the Lake Tahoe Airport.

1988: Filming of Things Change

In 1988, the film Things Change was filmed at the west shore lakefront home of Ray and Dagmar Dolby.

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1996: Pineapple Express atmospheric river

Around New Year 1996, a Pineapple Express atmospheric river caused the lake and river to overflow due to melted snow, inundating Reno and surrounding areas.

1997: Pineapple Express atmospheric river

Around New Year 1997, a Pineapple Express atmospheric river caused the lake and river to overflow due to melted snow, inundating Reno and surrounding areas.

1997: Lowest Secchi depth recorded

In 1997, Lake Tahoe recorded its lowest average Secchi depth ever, at 64.1 feet (19.5 m).

2002: Lake Tahoe warming

Analysis of temperature records in Lake Tahoe showed that the lake warmed (between 1969 and 2002) at an average rate of 0.027 °F (0.015 °C) per year.

September 2004: Closure of Ponderosa Ranch

In September 2004, the Ponderosa Ranch of the TV series Bonanza closed its doors after being sold to developer David Duffield.

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2006: First Observation of Goldfish

Since 2006, goldfish have been observed in Lake Tahoe, growing to large sizes and potentially impacting the ecosystem as an invasive species.

June 2007: Angora Fire

In June 2007, the Angora Fire burned approximately 3,100 acres (1,300 ha) throughout the South Lake Tahoe area, potentially impacting the lake's ecosystem due to future erosion.

2010: Second lowest Secchi depth recorded

In 2010, the average Secchi depth of Lake Tahoe was 64.4 feet (19.6 m), the second lowest ever recorded.

2011: Increase in Lake Tahoe clarity

From 2011 to 2014, Lake Tahoe's clarity increased by nearly 20 percent.

2014: Increase in Lake Tahoe clarity

From 2011 to 2014, Lake Tahoe's clarity increased by nearly 20 percent.

2014: Filming of Last Weekend

In 2014, the film Last Weekend, starring Patricia Clarkson, used the lakefront home of Ray and Dagmar Dolby as the primary location for its interiors and exteriors.

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2018: Federal survey monument removed

Around 2018, a federal survey monument was removed to the Lake Tahoe Historical Society.

2019: Discovery of Microplastics

In 2019, microplastics were found for the first time in Lake Tahoe by the Desert Research Institute, indicating a new source of pollution.

2019: Cutthroat trout reintroduction

In 2019, reintroduction efforts of cutthroat trout started in Lake Tahoe after they had been completely extirpated from the lake in the early 20th century due to competition from introduced fish.

2021: NHL Outdoor Games at Lake Tahoe

In 2021, the NHL hosted two outdoor games at Lake Tahoe.

2023: High Microplastic Pollution

In 2023, updated measurements revealed that Lake Tahoe contained some of the highest microplastic pollution concentrations among 38 lakes and reservoirs measured.