Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada range of the United States. At a surface elevation of 6,225 ft (1,897 m), Lake Tahoe is located along the border between California and Nevada, west of Carson City, Nevada. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. Its depth is 1,645 feet (501 m) making it the USA's second-deepest (the deepest is Crater Lake in Oregon, being 300 ft (91 m) deeper, at 1,945 feet (594 m) deep).
The Lake Tahoe was formed about 2 million years ago and is a part of the Lake Tahoe Basin with the modern lake being shaped during the ice ages. It is known for the clarity of its water and the panorama of surrounding mountains on all sides. The area surrounding the lake is also referred to as Lake Tahoe, or simply Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe is a major tourist attraction in both Nevada and California. It is home to a number of ski resorts, summer outdoor recreation, and tourist attractions. Snow and skiing are a significant part of the area's economy and reputation. Mountain and lake scenery are attractions throughout the year. The Nevada side also includes large casinos. Highways provide year-round access from Reno, Carson City and Sacramento.
| Lake Tahoe | |
|---|---|
| Lake Tahoe from the east shore (in Nevada) | |
| Location | Nevada and California |
| Lake type | Geologic block faulting |
| Primary outflows | Truckee River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 22 mi (35 km) |
| Max. width | 12 mi (19 km) |
| Surface area | 191.588 sq mi (496.21 km2):
|
| Average depth | 1,000 ft (300 m) |
| Max. depth | 1,645 ft (501 m) |
| Water volume | 122,160,280 acre·ft (150.68249 km3) |
| Residence time | 650 years |
| Shore length1 | 71 mi (114 km) |
| Surface elevation | 6,225 ft (1,897 m) |
| Frozen | Never |
| Islands | Fannette Island (only island) |
| Settlements | South Lake Tahoe, California Stateline, Nevada Tahoe City, California |
