Tahoe Pines Restoration

Overview

The California Tahoe Conservancy has restored the 8.1-acre site of the former Tahoe Pines Campground, creating new wetlands and restoring habitat along the Upper Truckee River, Lake Tahoe’s largest tributary, and constructing a new accessible-to-all trail and other public access features along the river. The Conservancy reopened the property to the public in October 2020.

The Conservancy acquired the Tahoe Pines Campground property in 2007. The campground, which hugged the west bank of the river, had suffered frequent damage from flooding during years with high river flows.

The Conservancy reconstructed the parking area and built a new pathway, pedestrian bridge, and stream overlook pad that meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards. The Conservancy also removed fill from the floodplain to create approximately half an acre of wetlands along the river. This will enhance wildlife and native fish habitat, help prevent soil from eroding into the river, and make the site more resilient to climate change impacts.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation helped fund the planning and implementation of this project. The California Natural Resources Agency helped fund the original acquisition of the property.

Restoring the Upper Truckee River

The Upper Truckee River collects runoff from a third of the land in the Lake Tahoe Basin and supports the largest wetland in the Sierra Nevada. Historical logging, grazing, and urban development have degraded the river. Along with the Tahoe Pines property, the Conservancy and its partners have now protected most of the lower nine miles of the river. As an example, the Conservancy has also launched the Upper Truckee Marsh Restoration Project, which will enhance and restore 250 acres of wetlands where the river meets Lake Tahoe.

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