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Photo above: Counting the fertilized eggs headed to the hatchery.

2025: Warm weather and fast waters shortened the collection season for Third Creek this year.

Decimated by overfishing in the 1930's we are  expecting the  Lahontan Cutthroat Trout's first return to Third Creek in 80+ years. 

We also: Work in assisting the stream study:

• Monitor stream condition
• build and maintain study tools
• Educate students and the public
• Observe and report on watershed events
• This year our lobbyists  worked hard to educate   senators and assemblypersons.
• We're formulating a protection bill for the 2027 Legislature for Third Creek and its watershed

Photo above: Confluence ofThird Creek & Lake Tahoe

Our volunteers: individuals on land and swimmers near shore, including the kayakers and paddle board enthusiasts,, assisted in monitoring "Near Shore" 2022 Algae blooms at the confluence of Lake Tahoe and Third Creek. Our report of a bloom initiated a 7 agency response with a Nevada Devision Environmental Protection assessment of the status of that North Shore bloom.

(It was good news and unrelated to Third Creek)

For the last 3 years, our staff have been preparing and updating a free, nonpartisan, all-age-appropriate lecture regarding Aboriginal history, geology, genealogical science,  Army Corps of Engineer's restoration of lower Third Creek and the que of year-roung spawners  inhabiting Third Creek. The lecture ends with a PBS Vegas video feature about the 11 year study of Third Creek.

Please helps find more venues to help us educate Lake Tahoe's

 community.

BULLETIN:

GO TO 

Youtube.

friends of third creek

 four years tahoe pollution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNjX-uiwm_4

Photo above: 2022 FOTC volunteers, Catherine and Lauren collect native meadow seed to revegetate areas disturbed by meadow's restoration, done by US Forest Service. We FOTC monitor this meadow, which is a fork of Third Creek and includes source springs within its boundary.  The US forest service invited us, and we provided as many volunteers as they would allow. The US Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, (LTBMU) is scheduled to reconfigure this emerging meadow in 2023.

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The URL above garnered over 1,100 views, to which a summit meeting (very puny) was conviened by the Director of the Friends of Third Creek. Attending were: the Senate liaison for the LTBMU, the director of the LTBMU, 4 LTBMU managers, VP Sierra Club Lake - Tahoe Area Group, Tahoe Clean Air president, and 3 TRPA department heads; forestry, conservation, and legal. The result was a successful transition back to Best Management Practices, and the completion in 2024 of the Seven Springs Meadow restoration work. 

Most do not know this, but 3rd Creek loses most of its summer water to the ranching world in Washoe Valley. This is based on water claims as old as 1887; according to the Nevada Division of Water Resources; the diversion authorization of Third Creek was verified in a 1977 court.

Here is the deal: Franktown water company from "Spring ~June 1st through October 31st  diverts North Shore water from  Ginny Lake, and the main fork with their several substantial artesian springs,  to  Washoe Valley. Our volunteer monitors have observed several violations: Ginny Lake  the "seasonal dam" is not removed seasonally. Several large perinial artesian outflows are likewise NEVER returned to their natural paths to Lake Tahoe.

Call Nevada Division Of Water Resources: 775-684-2800 Mr. Shell is aware of these AVs (alleged violations) 

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USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) Proposals :

• Over snow vehicle management proposal
• E-bike proposal
• Monitor Seven Springs Meadow Restoration summers 2026 & 2027 
• West Shore forest management proposal
• Urban (Third Creek Watershed) forest thinning
• More than can be named, so watch LTBMU site.

Photo Above: East Branch Third Creek Source Spring at about 9400 elevation.

• How many tributaries feed Third Creek? 

A: 5; Rosewood Creek; 

Jennifer branch;

Ginny Lake branch;

Seven Springs Meadows branch

 East fork to the summit.

• Can one fish on Third Creek?

A: No, not from the lake up to the Upper Fire station.  Fishing on 3rd Creek is only allowed above (North of) Mt. Rose Highway - State route 431.

• How long does the 3rd Creek Study last?

A; Annually, from March through June. 

A: The long term project should last a lifetime!

• Are beavers good for Third Creek?

A: Yes, they create green zones of marsh and ponding that make them great firemen. Their ponds are more efficent at removing heavy metals from EPA Superfund sites. Their waters extend the watertable and nurture the environment for flora and fauna alike. Their homes provide winter safety for frogs, fish, and turtles. Their harvesting of aspen lessens ladder fuel for the forest in general.

A: No Whatever you do do not drink water in or below their ponds; giardia.

•  Is chemical flame retardant legal to mitigate fire in the Third Creek Stream Environment Zone (SEZ) or its riparian  areas?

A:   NO!