Can one of the most beautiful beaches at Lake Tahoe be saved?

From: Ed Wheelbarger <ewheelbarger@sbcglobal.net>

To: Tiffany Good <tgood@trpa.gov>; Brenden Phillips <bphillips@trpa.gov>; Steve Sweet <ssweet@trpa.gov>

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The residents of the small community of Marla Bay are in a desperate fight to save their sand beach.  Over the years that section of shoreline has been regarded as a beautiful resource, but something has been changing over the past 10 to12 years.  A combination of year-round high water, winter storms and possibly lake currents has resulted in the loss of the beach sand.  

 

About five years ago progression of lost sand and encroachment of lake water became obvious at the Douglas County's Water District pump facilities and staircase revealing an alarming drop-off from the last step's landing to the beach.

 

This year's winter storms have now caused dangerous scarfing of sand at those stairs and the pump station.  Perhaps more alarming, erosion has revealed and damaged the sewer laterals coming out of 22 beachfront homes.  Connections and pipes were broken.  Hopefully, the absence of most residents and fast action by the sewer district prevented or minimized pollution of the Lake.

 

The sewer line exposed was trenched about five feet in the sand in 1962 when the sewers were first constructed.  Access stairs, pump house and ramp date to that time. Loss of sand at all of these facilities now threatens public health and safety.

 

There is talk of removing the sewer line from the beach and having the 22 homes along Lake Shore Boulevard connect to the main line in the street. This however is a long and expensive process that could take years to complete. It does not appear to be an expeditious remedy to prevent continued damage now to the pump facility and sewer system. 

 

The GID has the responsibility to maintain the three public access routes to the lake: the north and south stairs and a center ramp. All three are in jeopardy of being washed away. The GID has contacted Philip Ritger, Douglas County's Director of Public Utilities; Janet Murphy, manager for the Eastern shore sewer district; and Wesley Rice, Douglas County Commissioner concerning this matter. Additionally, we have been working with Domi Fellers of the Nevada Tahoe Conservation District for the last several years looking for a solution.

 

At this time, it would appear the only viable quick remedy and possible long-term fix to save the water pump facility and to prevent more damage to the sewer system as well as to prevent the possibility of a sewage spill would be to bring the sand back to the beach from the lake bottom. 

 

 It is hoped the TRPA would join us in our efforts to save one of the most beautiful beaches at Lake Tahoe. We are now asking for assistance from the TRPA.

 

Ed Wheelbarger

Marla Bay GID Chairperson

P/O 1471

Zephyr Cove, NV 89448

661 803-0660

 

Attachments: 7

Pictures of Marla Bay's beach, the first two pictures are of the beach in years past, the next five pictures are of the beach as it was in early March 2024.