THE LAKE TAHOE BASIN

When you visit Lake Tahoe, one of the things that will surprise you
is that the people you meet who call Lake Tahoe their home have a
fine sense of the area's history and heritage. In fact, some of the
best views of Tahoe can be seen through the eyes of the locals!

Although Lake Tahoe is economically dependent on tourism, its
approach is more friendly, casual and accommodating than most
vacation destinations. You really get the sense that almost
everyone's livelihood is associated with showing visitors a
wonderful time.

And when you come to Lake Tahoe to play, you will be able to find a
number of people who are experts at any activity that you are
wanting to enjoy. Many business owners will tell you that they have
been skiing or fishing or whatever for all of their life. They love
what they do and they are good at it. They look at each day as
another opportunity to do what they are passionate about while
making new friends. Out-of-doors or indoors, work is play for many
folks in Tahoe!

The residents of the Lake Tahoe Basin are the guardians of this
paradise and they accept this responsibility with pride. They know
their history and heritage and are dedicated to the preservation of
their environment and committed to extending warm hospitality to
vacationing guests.


A CHRONICLE

If you are interested in knowing more about the Lake Tahoe Basin,
please read on. The following sections provide a brief overview of
how nature and man have independently and jointly contributed to
create this magnificent vacation destination. In addition, a list of
resources are offered for those wanting more comprehensive
information.

Chances are your vacation will be even more enjoyable if you come to
Tahoe with an appreciation for how it came to be what it is today!


GEOLOGY

Lake Tahoe is a masterpiece of nature and most locals can tell you
just how it was created. In a nutshell, the Tahoe Basin was formed
about five to ten million years ago by the rising and falling of the
land due to the shifting of geologic faults.

Tremendous forces began the western tilt of the Sierra Nevada block.
As a result, two principal parallel faults developed. The eastern
margin created the Carson Range and the western margin created the
Sierra Nevada. The up-thrown fault blocks created the highest peaks
in the region. The down-thrown fault blocks sank to create a deep v-
shaped valley, now called the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Later, about two million years ago, volcanic activity followed and
played a key role in further reshaping the landscape of the region.
Lava flowing from Mt. Pluto formed a barrier across the Basin's
northeastern outlet, creating a natural dam across Lake Tahoe's
original outlet, the Truckee River. Water from the snowfall and
streams gradually filled the Lake Tahoe Basin, over 600 feet higher
than its present lake level! Eventually, a new outlet eroded through
the northeastern lava dam, creating the present path of the Lower
Truckee River, the only outlet of the lake.

Then an Ice Age developed and huge glaciers grew in the surrounding
mountains and gradually moved down the v-shaped canyons on the
western side of the lake. The glaciers scoured away loose rock and
reshaped the canyons into the broad, u-shaped valleys of Emerald
Bay, Fallen Leaf Lake and Cascade Lake.

Today, the highest point in the Tahoe Basin is Freel Peak at 10,881
feet. The deepest part of Lake Tahoe is near Crystal Bay, measuring
a water depth of 1,645 feet