Quagga and Zebra Mussel Inspections in Lake Tahoe

This blog post is not about South Lake Tahoe real estate, but is about quagga and zebra mussels and affects boat owners, and anyone that plans to visit Lake Tahoe in the future.

The TRPA is currently on a mission to keep the invasive quagga and zebra mussels out of Lake Tahoe. If you are planning on bringing your boat to Lake Tahoe, be prepared to have your boat inspected at the launch ramp. The inspection will be free at the Cave Rock launch ramp until June 1st, after that there will be an inspection fee.

If you plan to launch at the Tahoe Keys Marina, there is a $30 inspection fee for boats under 25 feet, $40 for boats from 26 to 40 feet, and $125 an hour for boats over 40 feet. If you tack on the $35 launch fee it could be an  expensive day on the lake!

 Here are some basic inspection and cleaning tips you should use every time you take your boat out of the water that will prevent you from spreading mussels and having your boat quarantined by an inspector.

• If your boat has been in another body of water, make sure to pull your drain plug and completely dry out your bilge. Quagga and zebra mussels can survive for up to 30 days out of the water in cool wet weather, or up to 5 days in hot weather. Make sure to let your boat dry for the appropriate amount of time prior to launching in any different body of water.
• Be sure to remove any mud or plants from your trailer.
• Inspect your boat for any rough or gritty spots, which may be young mussels that cannot be seen.
• Clean all water sports and fishing equipment including wetsuits.
• Wash, dry, and brush your pets.
• Wash your boat with hot water at a temperature of 140 degrees at the hull.

Photo provided by the USGS

The reason that the mussels must be prevented from entering Lake Tahoe is that they can completely change the ecosystem, damage boats and motors, clog infrastructure, and leave sharp shells on the beaches.

On Tuesday, a boat from Lake Pleasant, Arizona was found to have shells of the quagga mussels by an inspector at the Tahoe Keys Marina. This boat was decontaminated, and shows that the inspections are essential to keep the mussels out of Lake Tahoe.

Boating is a major part of the economy and lifestyle of Lake Tahoe, please do your part in preventing the spread of the quagga and zebra mussels so that we can continue to enjoy Tahoes crystal clear waters!

Highland Woods

The Highland Woods area is a small and desirable neighborhood in South Lake Tahoe. There are not a lot of homes that come up for sale in the Highland Woods area, so the sales can often be quick, especially if the homes are priced well.

One of the best features of Highland woods is the under ground utilities. Other than the Tahoe Keys, Highland woods is one of the the only areas that does not have power lines obstructing the views. The curbs and gutters are another feature that add to the aesthetics of the area. There are also many newer homes with landscaped yards that make this neighborhood a pleasure to be in.

The Highland woods area is centrally located in South Lake Tahoe with easy  access to highway 50. The casinos, Heavenly Valley Ski Resort, and Lake Tahoe’s famous sandy beaches are only a short drive away.

The Upper Truckee River, Truckee Marsh, and Trout Creek boarder three sides of the area, giving Highland Woods a very peaceful setting. Some of the homes on Springwood street back the meadow and even have lake views. On the south side of Highland Woods near highway 50 are some duplexes and multi-family units, so the more desirable areas for single family homes are near the middle and around the perimeters of the meadows.
View Larger Map

Homes in Highland Woods average in price from the Upper $200,000′s to the $600,000′s.

If you are looking at houses for sale in South Lake Tahoe and like clean desirable neighborhoods, make sure to check out Highland Woods. There are only 4 homes that are available on the South Lake Tahoe mls, so make sure to sign up for my new listing notification to have any new mls listings e-mailed to you as soon as they hit the market!

Tahoe Island Drive

The South Lake Tahoe MLS divides the city of South Lake Tahoe into 16 smaller areas. The Tahoe Island Drive area is located between Tahoe Keys Blvd. and Highway 89, just south of the Tahoe Keys area. Tahoe Island Drive is one of both locals and second homeowners favorite areas due to its location, affordability, and setting.

The Tahoe Island Drive area is minutes away from the South Shores best beaches by either car or bike. There is a bike trail that parallels Highway 89 and leads to Pope beach, Baldwin beach, Kiva beach, Valhalla, Camp Richardson, Fallen Leaf lake, and beyond. Tahoe Valley Elementary School is located right off of Tahoe Island Drive. Homes are also close to shopping, restaurants, and the Tahoe Keys Marina.

The setting in the Tahoe Island Drive area varies depending on the street. Some of the houses back meadows and National Forest Service land, but most homes will back another house or lot. There are towering pine trees throughout the entire area that give the neighborhood that “Tahoe Feel.” Great mountain views are rare here due to the trees and the location, but some of the meadow front homes  do have good views.

Houses for sale in the Tahoe Island Drive area average in the upper $300,000 range. There are fixers and foreclosures for sale in the $200,000′s. There are also large new and newer homes for sale over $600,000.

Tahoe Island Park

The Tahoe Island Park area is located between Highway 50 and the Tahoe Keys on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. The topography of the Tahoe Island Park area is flat and forested. Some of the homes on the out skirting streets of Michael and Jeffrey are located on Meadows and have mountain views, but most of the 6,ooo to 7,000 square foot lots will back one another.

Tahoe Island park has a mixed bag of different age and size homes in it. There are still a few buildable lots in the area, and there have been some new homes recently built. Most of the homes in Tahoe Island park are in the 1000 to 2000 square foot range, and there are quite a few ranch style single story homes built in the 1960′s-1980′s. There are homes priced from the  $200,000′s to the $600,000′s, but the average sales price is in the  $300,000′s.

Many of the houses in Tahoe Island Park have boat docks in the Tahoe Keys Marina. There is a fee associated with the boat docks that is paid to the Tahoe Keys Beach and Harbor HOA.

Tahoe Island Park is very close to the lake and is close to bike trails that The Tahoe Island Park area is a well kept neighborhood and houses priced right generally sell quickly.

Custom Tahoe home near the Tahoe Keys!

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