Seasons exists above and below the surface at Lake Tahoe. With massive snowfall, this winter has been one for the record books. But all this snow means a lot of runoff into the lake. The runoff carries sediment and nutrients. These nutrients give algae the ability to bloom. And spring is blooming season.
Lately, both in person and in photographs, I've noticed a green sheen on the rocks. This is attached algae that's driven by the rise in nutrients. If I had to guess, I would bet this year will be a record algae bloom, reflecting the record snowfall and runoff. I made a video about how researchers measure algae. It will be interesting to see what they record this year.
Blue-green algae covers the rocks and old tracks at Sugar Pine Point State Park on Lake Tahoe's West Shore. Photo by Mat Nelson.