• Tahoe Keys Property Owner's Association

    Waterways Department

     

  • Our Mission

    ​As aquatic invasive species (AIS) have become an urgent issue in the Keys lagoons, it is also a Lake Tahoe-wide threat to water quality, the environment and the economy. The Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association (TKPOA) has been actively managing invasive plants for decades through an integrative, science-based approach with the goal of gaining control over the infestation and greatly reducing their spread.

  • What is the TKPOA Waterways Department?

    There are 3 macrophyte species causing problems for boaters of the keys. These species are Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus), and the native coontail (Ceratophyllum demursum). Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (LRWQCB) issued the TKPOA a Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) permit: Executive Order No. R6T-2014-0059. This specifies that the TKPOA must improve the control of aquatic invasive plants in the Tahoe Keys lagoons and the Waterways Department has two different branches to do so. Click the images below for more information about each branch.

  • THE HISTORY OF AIS CONTROL IN THE TAHOE KEYS LAGOONS

    The Tahoe Keys have 163 acres of waterways with 1,529 homes and townhouses along with commercial businesses. The waterways include the Lake Tallac Lagoon (a storm water collection basin for South Lake Tahoe), the West Lagoon, and the East Lagoon. Both the West and East lagoons have direct connections to Lake Tahoe via the West and East channels.

    1

    1960-1970

    Development of Truckee Marsh into the Tahoe Keys

    • Tahoe Keys was developed in the 1960's and 1970’s as a unique, planned-unit-development. The end result was the transformation of approximately 750 acres of marsh land into a 1,529 member Community Association, encompassing 335 town houses and 1,194 home sites.
    2

    1980

    Infestation & Response:

    • Native to Europe and Asia, Eurasian Watermilfoil was introduced to Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Keys in the 1980s. No one knows how specifically, but it is likely from home aquarium dumping, or transported accidentally by boat.
    • Harvesting begins.
    3

    1990-2000

    Investigation & Harvesting:

    • The harvesting and fragment control program continues and grows as the infestation grows.
    4

    2003

    Curlyleaf Pondweed Detected

    • In 2003 a new aquatic invasive species was detected  within the Tahoe Keys lagoons. Since being detected it has proliferated throughout the Lagoons.
    • The presence of this species is causing some concern due to its ability to grow in colder waters and possibly Lake Tahoe proper.
    5

    2011-2014

    Research & Coordination:

    • Initial collaboration with Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Tahoe Resource Conservation District.
    • Initial experiments with bottom barriers.
    • Comprehensive literature research on control methods.
    • Informational consultations with Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinating Committee and others.
    • Waste Discharge Requirement (WDR) Permit issued in 2014, necessitating Integrated Management Plan and Non-point Source Water Quality Management Plan.
    6

    2015-2016

    Research & Collaboration:

    • Education and outreach to homeowners, landscaping companies and other land owners for Non-point Source Plan.
    • Independent Scientific Panel review of Integrated Management Plan.
    • Fragment Control method evaluation including new boats, boat backup station.
    • Alternative methods research and field study.
    • Water quality monitoring and study.
    • Collaboration with stakeholders in planning process, including the Lake Tahoe Water Suppliers Association, League to Save Lake Tahoe, Sierra Club, Tahoe Resource Conservation District, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board.
    7

    2017-2021

    Implementation, Demonstration & Evaluation:

    • Small-scale herbicide test followed by non-herbicide methods pending approval (2022).
    • Non-herbicide combination methods evaluation pending funding (diver assisted pulling, broader bottom barrier use, UV Light test, Laminar Flow Aeration, Circulation system) 2017-2021.
    • Long-term Integrated Management Plan (2020).
    8

    2022-2024

    Control Methods Test (CMT)

    • A 3-year long multi-treatment test to combat the spread of aquatic invasive plants in the Tahoe Keys Lagoon.
    • The CMT is a Collaborative Multi-Stakeholder Process. The collaboration team is composed of representatives from Lahontan Water Board, TKPOA, TRPA, Tahoe Water Suppliers Association, and The League to Save Lake Tahoe. See tahoekeysweeds.org for the collaborative website. Read more about the CMT here.

  • Contact Us

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