Clean water group to sample Tahoe clarity

Scientists aren't the only people who can measure the clarity of Lake Tahoe.

A clean-water group is looking for volunteers to take samples of the lake for its fourth annual water clarity "Snapshot Day" 9 a.m. to noon May 22.

Volunteers at South Shore will be asked to walk streams and creeks to collect water samples that will be tested for dissolved oxygen, nutrients and sediment.

Organizers of the event, the Lake Tahoe Environment Education Coalition and Tahoe-Truckee Clean Water Team, are looking for volunteers to lead water sampling teams.

People interested need to be at least 16 years old so they can drive to one of the 30 to 40 creeks and streams that need to be sampled at South Shore.

"A leader is someone who has gone through an extra two hours of training," said Jessica Schwing, who works for the erosion control team at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. "They learn how to take water samples and they are in charge of their group and need to make sure it takes proper sampling."

Anyone interested in becoming a team leader at South Shore should contact Schwing at (775) 588-4547 ext. 318. Or they can just show up for leader training on Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Lake Tahoe Community College cafeteria.

Volunteers only interested in collecting samples should also call Schwing so she has an idea of how many sampling kits will be needed. Those who don't want to call or forget to call can still show up at the LTCC cafeteria on May 22 between 8 and 9 a.m. and be assigned to a team.

Snapshot Day involves residents from around the Lake Tahoe Basin. The event last year drew about 250 volunteers. The water quality test results are announced at a dinner hosted for volunteers each fall.

High Sierra Water Labs does the water sample analysis. The lab also does work for the TRPA and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board because they are one of the few labs that can detect the low concentrations of pollutants that scientists want to identify in Lake Tahoe, Schwing said.

Contact Gregory Crofton at gcrofton@tahoedailytribune.com or (530) 542-8045.