Lake Tahoe expected to be full for first time since 2019, thanks to winter storms

Lake Tahoe is expected to fill for the first time in five years, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The last time the lake was full was June 2019.

The dam on the Truckee River in Tahoe City regulates up to 6 feet of storage, totaling 744,500 acre-feet on the lake, according to the USDA.

“Once full the stored water in Lake Tahoe typically provides sufficient supply to meet demand for three years even if snowpacks are below normal,” the USDA report read.

Strong precipitation in January, February and March led to winter snowpack above the median, according to the report.

“April 1 snowpacks were 108-244% of median across the region and May 1 snowpacks continue to be above normal at 102-184% of median despite a dry April and areas of record snowmelt,” the report read.

The full report can be read on the USDA’s National Water and Climate Center website.

This story was originally published May 11, 2024 at 4:11 PM with the headline "Lake Tahoe expected to be full for first time since 2019, thanks to winter storms."