We arrived in Carson City, the capital of Nevada on Wednesday, July 10. Carson City is located east of Lake Tahoe and south of Reno. It was settled in 1858 and named for Kit Carson. The discovery of silver in 1859 in the nearby town of Virginia City helped to stimulate Carson City's economy. The federal government established a mint at Carson City, which later became the Nevada State Museum. It became the capital of Nevada in 1864 when Nevada gained statehood.Thursday dawned a beautiful day in the mountains of Nevada so we headed over the hills to Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe sits on the California-Nevada border and covers 193 sq. miles. The lake sits at an elevation of 6,229 feet. It is 22 miles long and 10 miles wide. The lake is 1,645 feet deep - the third deepest in North America (the deepest is Crater Lake in Oregon, being 300 feet deeper). Additionally, Lake Tahoe is listed as the 26th largest lake by volume in the world at 122,160,280 acre-ft. Approximately two-thirds of the shoreline is in California.
Most people are mesmerized by the cold, clear, waters of this grand mountain lake.
Lake Tahoe is fed by 63 tributaries, which drain an area about the same size as the lake; half the water entering the lake is rain falling directly on it.
The Truckee River is the lake's only outlet which flows past Reno and into Pyramid Lake. From there, it just evaporates as there is no outflow to the Pacific Ocean.The lake never freezes as it is so deep and big. The water is constantly moving. As surface water approaches freezing temperatures, it sinks. Warmer, lighter water then rises to the top, mixing with the colder sinking water. The lake stays a constant 39* near the bottom and warms up to 68* along the shoreline in the summer.
The color of the lake is a brilliant blue. The lake takes much of its color from the sky, reflecting it like a big, deep mirror. During storms, the lake looks gray or nearly black.
In some places, the water is so clear that objects can be seen on the bottom in 75 feet of water. Much of the rainwater coming into the lake flows through marshes or meadows which filter out impurities. The lake will probably not stay this clear as Lake Tahoe is naturally filling with sediments. These come from existing roadways,
new construction and vehicle exhaust, all stimulating algae grown.What a wonderful way to spend a day along such a beautiful shoreline!
From here we are heading to Yosemite National Park. More later.
Love to all,
Candy and Johnny
