Global warming may dim Tahoe gem

Lake Tahoe, the Jewel of the Sierras, could go from the crystal-clear sapphire blue it's known for, to a flat, muddy green in the next 10 years. The culprit? Global warming, according to a new study from UC Davis. Eric Bailey has the story.

Experts from the university's Tahoe Environmental Research Center suspect the changes could occur within a decade and prove irreversible. Among the likely results are fewer native fish and larger populations of invasive species, such as large-mouth bass, bluegill and carp.

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"Tahoe is another victim," said John Reuter, the center's associate director and one of the report's authors. "The world views the lake as a pristine place, a refuge. When you hear global warming is affecting Tahoe, is anywhere safe? The answer is no."

It's tough news for Lake Tahoe, whose economy relies, in no small part, on tourism built around all that beautiful blue.

Eric Bailey's full story here.

-- Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times