Water Quality & Watersheds
The natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin are the focus of the Conservancy’s mission. Preserving these resources requires a watershed perspective. The Conservancy works with public and private partners and stakeholders at Tahoe. Together, we’re restoring wetland health and habitats, and water quality, within Tahoe’s sub-watersheds. We use the best available science and adaptive management practices to address decades of impacts from development and land use.
The Conservancy and its partners are advancing multiple-benefit watershed projects. Tahoe partners are:
- restoring the resilience of forests and watersheds,
- protecting water quality,
- expanding green infrastructure and recreation opportunities, and
- adapting to climate change.
Tahoe partners use nature-based solutions, such as restoring wetlands to improve water quality and carbon storage. We are boosting resilience to drought, flood, extreme heat, and changing visitor patterns.
Watersheds & Stream Environment Zones
Learn more about the importance of restoring Stream Environment Zones (SEZs) when it comes to protecting Lake Tahoe and improving resilience to climate change.
Greater Upper Truckee Watershed
Upper Truckee River Watershed Resilience (2025): Completing work in the Upper Truckee River Watershed will ensure connectivity for people and wildlife, protect tribal assets and values, and provide refuge from climate change.
Greater Upper Truckee Watershed – Accomplishments and Opportunities (2022): Tahoe partners are ready to act. We have identified ten opportunities within the greater Upper Truckee watershed to restore the Upper Truckee River, protect Lake Tahoe’s water quality, and make our communities more resilient to climate change.
