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Projects

At Clean Up the Lake 501(c)3, we lead both terrestrial and underwater cleanup efforts, collecting critical data to support scientific research and policy development while also running surveillance for aquatic invasive species and reporting observations on algal-blooms for future monitoring. Comprehensive assessments of completed projects are available below, offering detailed insights into our ongoing environmental impact and often providing recommendations for next steps for submerged litter management and aquatic invasive species management.

Project Goals

Our team has dedicated several years to improving the environment in and around Donner Lake. So far, we have completed: Phase 1: Pilot Research, Phase 2: Circumnavigated Clean up, Phase 3: Data analysis & Program Development, and Phase 4: Monitoring and at this level we are on Phase 5.  This includes litter prevention programs that engage and empower visitors and locals alike. So far we have worked with the Town of Truckee, TDRPD and Building 180 to construct a litter-art sculpture at the Donner Lake Public Boat Launch called “WEIGHTLESS”.  We have also completed over 37 signs on public piers asking for people to be aware and encouraging them to clean up after themselves and finally we are also hosting a Litter Prevention Seminar in February 2025.

Supporting Partners

Town of Truckee
Truckee Tahoe Lumber Company
Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District
Drink Coffee Do Stuff
Martis Fund
Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation
Lahontan Community Foundation
Building 180

More Truckee Region Projects

Donner-Lake-Deep-Clean

Donner Lake Deep Clean

Project Year: 2024

Deeper dives in Donner Lake found significant litter at 35-55 ft. Using nitrox gas & DPVs, divers will cover more ground safely and efficiently in future cleanups.

CA-Pilot-Research

CA Pilot Research

Project Year: 2024

In 2024, we ran a pilot research program at Boca Reservoir and Stampede Reservoir to expand operations across the Sierra Nevada and address recreation impacts.

donner-lake-from-the-lookout

Donner Lake Monitoring

Project Year: 2022

Our 2nd circumnavigation of Donner Lake, focused on the 0-25 foot zone, and assess data from the 2020 cleanup. Divers explored deeper transects at 45-75 feet to study litter accumulation.

cleaning-tires-out-of-donner-lake

Donner Lake

Project Year: 2020

We completed a full shoreline cleanup, removing over 5,151 lbs of debris. We also installed signs on 37 public piers to encourage visitors to pack out what they pack in.