Lake Tahoe Safety Tips

Each year lake Tahoe hosts over 15 million visitors each year for its crystal-clear water, snowcapped Sierra Nevada backdrop and iconic rocky shorelines. While Lake Tahoe is known for over 300 fair weather calendar days annually, the conditions on Lake Tahoe can turn dangerous within a matter of minutes for those who are unprepared.

Preparing for the Day – Check the Weather
While warm temperatures and sunny skies might make for a perfect beach day, it might not mean the conditions will be suitable for recreational paddle-sports. Understanding the warning signs for oncoming wind and unfavorable weather conditions is vital in order to have a safe and fun time on the water.

Check for Wind
Check for wind conditions. Lake Tahoe can experience wind gusts of up to 50mph on some days. Daily wind conditions typically start around 11:00am (sometimes sooner), but wind speeds can vary. High wind levels can quickly create waves and waves can flip even a small, motorized vessel. For those paddling without a guide, it is recommended to take caution in wind conditions that exceed 10mph. Additionally, it is highly advised to stay off the lake in Wind Advisory conditions.

Caution for Shifts in Wind Direction or Sudden Storms.

Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, and given its size, wind conditions may vary across different regions of the lake. If wind is coming from the southwest, it will likely be creating rough water and waves on the east-shore while the shoreline on the southwest may appear to be calm and inviting. It is important that paddlers know that a sudden change in wind or weather conditions could change everything. Wind conditions should be checked regularly, and not just with the naked eye. It’s recommended to use apps like Windfinder.com and NOAA for weather forecasts as well as keep an eye out for a wind line when paddling on Lake Tahoe.

What is a “Wind Line”?
A wind line might appear as a thick blue line along the base of the mountains when looking across the lake. It is just one of the ways to distinguish rough water at a distance. Lake Tahoe is 22 miles long and 12 miles wide but once a wind line appears on the horizon, it may only be a matter of minutes until those choppy water conditions reach the other side of the lake.

Know Your Vessel
There are a variety of vessel options for recreational paddling on Lake Tahoe from canoes and traditional touring kayaks to pedal powered and sailing kayaks. The biggest distinguishing factor between any kayak or paddleboard that paddlers should be aware of is if it is a self-bailing for non-self bailing vessel.

A self-bailing vessel floats higher on the water, and “bails” out the water automatically. In choppy water conditions, a self-bailing vessel will generally stay afloat however these can tip over easily and be difficult to get back on.

A non-self bailing vessel will retain water like a cup. Any excess water that enters the vessel will contribute to the contained weight of that vessel, causing it to tip over or sink. A non-self bailing vessel may require the paddler to wear a sprayskirt (to keep water out) or use a bilge pump to remove excess water from the boat.

Each vessel handles conditions differently, so it is important to know the difference between these two types of vessels. If you are unsure about your vessel, do not paddle far from your point of entry/exit, especially if the wind is predicted to pick up.

Understanding the Shoreline of Lake Tahoe
Kayak and paddle-craft entry points on Lake Tahoe are generally located on sandy beaches. However, Lake Tahoe is also known for it’s giant rocky boulders that are often situated between the base of the mountain and deep shoreline leaving little to no area to enter or exit the water safely around it. Other regions of the lake might be lined with cliffs that drop up to 900 feet into the lake. It is important that paddlers consider the shoreline of where they will be exploring to respect residents with private property and plan an exit in the event of rapid weather changes on Lake Tahoe.

Stay Off The Rocks
If you do find yourself off of your vessel in choppy lake-water conditions it’s best to hold onto your vessel and kick toward the nearest point of shore. Your vessel can work as a floating device and help people find and assist you easier. Once you have reached the shore, it is recommended to push the vessel away from you and stay clear of it so choppy water does not push the vessel into you and cause you to get injured on the shoreline or the rocks.

Always Wear a PFD and Leash
While it is mandatory that paddlers have a PDF on the vessel, these can be extremely difficult to detach from our vessel and put on if you are on the water. It is highly recommended that all paddlers always wear a US Coast Guard approved PFD and leash at all times to reduce stress and unnecessary strain when you do find you might need it. Often times, you might not know until it is too late.

Cold Water Shock

Cold water shock is a very real threat to those planning to enjoy recreational paddle sports activities on Lake Tahoe. Cold Water shock can suddenly happen to anyone at anytime. This incident is most likely to happen when visitors move from the warm temperatures of the sunny lake-shore conditions and enter the very cold waters of Lake Tahoe. Cold water shock can prevent even athletes from moving or responding as they would expect. Cold water shock may cause gasping and water intake while struggling to swim.

Make a Paddle Plan
Before embarking on lake Tahoe, it is important to have a paddle plan. Know where you are going, who you are going to be with, when you are leaving, and when you expect to return. Letting someone else know where you are plan on paddling can be helpful in the case that they need to assist in the event of an emergency.

Prepare for the Day

Know what type of vessel you will be using and what type of supplies you may need such as a leash for a paddleboard, enough paddles for all paddlers, PFDs for all participants and other gear such as dry bags and emergency supplies.

Know your Personal Floatation Device
Not all Personal Flotation Devices are designed to keep you afloat. It is important not to confused the various types of PFDs and ensure you obtain a US Coast Guard approved PFD that could save you in an emergency.

Prevent Invasive Species
If you are using a personal kayak or paddleboard it does need to be clean, drained and dried prior to entering the waters of lake Tahoe. This means that you must remove all visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from your boat, trailer, and gear. Drain all water from your boat’s bilge, live wells, ballast tanks, and any other compartments. Allow all compartments and gear to dry completely before launching or transporting. This includes life jackets, ropes, inflatables, and any other items that may have come in contact with the water.

This process helps keep invasive species, such as the Golden Mussel, out of Lake Tahoe. Golden Mussels are highly invasive species, first discovered in North America in October 2024 in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta of California. While they are not currently in Lake Tahoe, they are not a distant threat.

Consider On-Site Rentals or a Kayak Tour
It is highly recommended to choose a guided tour when exploring Lake Tahoe for the first time. Guided tours give guests the peace of mind of being accompanied by a trained tour guide who is familiar with the location and weather patterns.

If you want to explore on your own, on-site rentals are another great option to avoid the risk of spreading invasive species and obtaining advice from the rental concession on selecting the best type of vessel and knowing the weather patterns for the day.