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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Field Notes • Lake

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the western United States, straddling the California-Nevada border.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Lake Tahoe is a large, natural freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada on the California-Nevada border. It is the largest alpine lake in North America and one of the deepest in the United States.

What it is

Lake Tahoe is a natural freshwater lake formed in a fault basin, not man-made. It sits at a high elevation of about 6,225 ft (1,897 m) above sea level and drains via the Truckee River. The lake is about 22 miles long and 12 miles wide, with a surface area of roughly 193 square miles.

Key details

The lake reaches a maximum depth of about 1,645 ft (501 m), making it the second deepest lake in the United States after Crater Lake. Its famously clear, blue water results from the way clear water absorbs red light, leaving blue wavelengths more visible.

Why it matters

Lake Tahoe is a major recreation and tourism destination, with boating, swimming, and other outdoor activities drawing visitors year-round. Its exceptional clarity and alpine setting make it a notable natural landmark in the western United States.

In short

  • Largest alpine lake in North America, straddling California and Nevada.
  • Maximum depth of 1,645 ft (501 m) — second deepest in the U.S.
  • Natural freshwater lake with striking blue water due to clarity.
  • Major hub for tourism and outdoor recreation.

Quick questions

Where is Lake Tahoe?
Lake Tahoe is in the Sierra Nevada on the border between California and Nevada in the western United States.
How deep is Lake Tahoe?
Its maximum depth is about 1,645 ft (501 m).
Why is Lake Tahoe so blue?
Its blue colour is linked to very clear water that absorbs red light, leaving blue light more visible.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Tahoe
    Supports: Location, elevation, size, and maximum depth.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Lake-Tahoe
    Supports: Location, dimensions, depth, outlet, and note that it is a freshwater lake in a fault basin.
  3. Keep Tahoe Blue — https://www.keeptahoeblue.org/about-tahoe/
    Supports: Blue colour explanation and lake depth.
  4. Visit California — https://visitcalifornia.com/things-to-do/lake-tahoe/
    Supports: Blue appearance, depth, and water purity context.
  5. U.S. Geological Survey — https://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/1972/report.pdf
    Supports: Geographic setting in the Sierra Nevada valley.
  6. Your Tahoe Guide — https://yourtahoeguide.com/lake-tahoe-facts/
    Supports: Reported surface water temperature averages and seasonal variation.