22 Tahoe homes face runoff risks

Sacramento Business Journal - 10:47 AM PDT Monday, July 16, 2007

A federal agency has identified 22 sites on private lands near South Lake Tahoe with homes or other improvements at risk from erosion and damaging runoff as a result of the recent fires that swept through the region.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has completed a damage survey report identifying work that can be done to reduce soil erosion and higher than usual drainage flows that may damage structures. The NRCS said it will request $350,000 for this work, but adds that it is unknown if and when this funding will be approved.


The sites have been identified for a range of treatments, including placing sand bags or "K-rail" deflector walls around homes and creating culverts to divert drainage around roads, homes and other buildings. Also, about 70 acres of steeper private lands in the area have been identified for hydromulching by reducing sediment and debris runoff from these burned areas.

The emergency measures are being proposed as part of a federal NRCS program called the Emergency Watershed Protection Program. El Dorado County has agreed to be a sponsor of the program.

NRCS is working closely with the county, the city of South Lake Tahoe, South Tahoe Public Utility District and the Lake Tahoe Unified School District.