A river runs along it

April 20, 2017 by Tim Hauserman

By Tim Hauserman

While there is still some good skiing to be had around Lake Tahoe, spring is slowly fighting to make an appearance and many folks are itching for the chance to finally stretch out their legs on something other than snow. Fortunately, the Tahoe City Public Utility District has been busy removing the still copious quantities of snow from the Truckee River bike trail, and with the Truckee River running high the walk along the bike path is quite spectacular.

I began my walk this week at the 64 Acres Parking Lot in Tahoe City. There was a sparkling blue sky and the river shimmered as it roared underneath the bike path bridge. Over 1300 cubic feet per second is now pouring out of Lake Tahoe into the river from the Truckee River Dam in Tahoe City. The water master has his hands full trying to keep Lake Tahoe from reaching it’s legal limit of 6229 feet without flooding folks down stream. Especially since the lake level is just a foot below the limit, and there is still a lot of snow in the mountains.

All that water means that the Truckee River is now just a few steps from the bike trail in many locations, and remember those picnic tables and benches you sat on to look at the trickle of a Truckee River last fall? Those are now under water.

In some places the bike trail was high and dry and surrounded by dirt, while in others, the trail passes through five foot high canyons of snow. Bring your boots, as in many places small streams roll across the trail.

Considering that the Truckee River was not even running six months ago, to see it so wide and deep loaded with crystal clear water is rejuvenating, and a reminder then when it comes to weather and water at Tahoe, change is ongoing and continual. Droughts and deluges are just a part of life in the Sierra. One of these years it would be nice, however, to have one of those elusive average years. Perhaps next year.

In the meantime, now is a beautiful time to take a stroll along the Truckee River, and while you are at it, be sure and check out the water being released from the dam. You could also make the journey on a mountain bike, but be prepared to get wet.