Jewel of the Sierra

Lake Tahoe's pristine waters showcase impossible shades of blue

Lake Tahoe holds the distinction of being North America's largest alpine lake, containing enough water to cover all of California to a depth of 14 inches. Its remarkable clarity—visible to depths of 70 feet—results from the lake's depth (1,645 feet maximum), cold temperatures, and limited nutrient input. Mark Twain famously described Tahoe's water as 'so transparent that the boat seemed to be floating on air,' a description that remains accurate today.