American beauty Tahoe feels the heat of climate change

Lake Tahoe is considered by many Americans to be the epitome of natural beauty. However, the lake is currently under threat due to climate change.

The lake, which crosses the California-Nevada border, is famous across America for its crisp blue colour and for the clarity of the water.

However, a new study by scientists at the University of California predicts that the lake is likely to be severely impacted by climate change over the next decade, with many of its native cold water wish dying off as temperatures increase.

New fish species such as bluegill, carp and bass are likely to take the place of the native fish.

Geoffrey Schladow, who directed the research, said: “What we expect is that deep mixing of Lake Tahoe’s water layers will become less frequent, even non-existent, depleting the bottom waters of oxygen. This will result in major, permanent disruption to the entire lake food web.

“This is not unheard of, oxygen depletion occurs annually in most lakes and reservoirs in California in the summer.

“But Tahoe has always been special. It’s been above and beyond such things.

“A permanently stratified Lake Tahoe becomes just like any other lake or pond. It is no longer this unique, effervescent jewel, the finest example of nature’s grandeur.”

As the lake’s oxygen decreases, phosphorus is likely to be released from the bottom of the lake, resulting in a sharp increase in the levels of algae in the lake.