Lake tahoe aquatic invasive species program

Aquatic invasive species degrade the biological integrity of aquatic ecosystems and impact nearshore clarity by altering the chemical, physical and biological habitat features of waterbodies, outcompeting native species, and increasing algae growth.

Aquatic invasive species can also degrade recreational assets and reduce property values which would have significant impacts on the local economy and community. Inventories for the location and extent of invasive species are critical for managing and controlling the spread of those species.

Inventories enable strategic investment of resources by allowing managers to prioritize control and eradication efforts to the highest risk areas. Inventorying invasive species also provides the opportunity to detect new locations of infestation before they become large and costly to control, reducing the cost and effort required to control invasives.

TRPA leads a collaborative effort to control existing invasive species, which costs millions of dollars every year. The Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan aims to: prevent new introductions of AIS in Tahoe, limit the spread of existing AIS populations, employ strategies to minimize threats to native species, and extirpate existing AIS populations, abate harmful ecological, economic, social, and public health impacts.

TRPA oversees projects that reduce and eradicate populations of invasive aquatic weeds, asian clams, non-native fish, bullfrogs, or other identified species. Projects also include pilot projects and the rapid response to new locations of AIS infestations to prevent further spread. Performance Measures. By: Invasive Species Type. TRPA oversees projects that reduce and eradicate populations of invasive aquatic weeds, asian clams, non-native fish, bullfrogs, or other identified species.

Projects also include pilot projects and the rapid response to new locations of AIS infestations to prevent further spread. TRPA and its partners have embarked on a goal of significantly reducing aquatic invasive species throughout the region over the next 10 years, as described in the Lake Tahoe AIS Control Action Agenda Summary and complete document. Lake Tahoe already hosts several aquatic invasive species.