Current Condition of the River
Eroding bed and banks, disconnected from its floodplain and lacks habitat.
Desired Condition of the River
Connected to its floodplain with healthy riparian vegetation.
The Benefits of Restoring the Upper Truckee River
(there are detrimental consequences if no restoration occurs)
Restores the Natural Environment
Restores more than a mile long reach of the Upper Truckee River to help reduce sediment into Lake Tahoe and stop erosion due to logging day artificial straightening.
Restores over 32 acres of meadow floodplain and the stream environment zone.
Reduces erosion and increases deposition of clarity reducing sediment input to Lake Tahoe.
Moves 5 golf course holes (decrease from 9 holes in previous plan) to further away from the river, creating a buffer.
Improves riparian habitat and provides more continuous riverine corridor.
Reconnects river to its floodplain, restoring water table and vegetation.
Removes 5 erosion-causing bridges and replaces with 1 longer bridge.
Continues the protection of the fen, wetlands and the Celio barn, which are all outside the project area.
Reduces turf by over 10%.
Reduces golf course within 50 feet of the river from over 6,300 feet to 1,450 feet.
Improves Recreational Opportunities
Relocating the golf holes currently adjacent to the river will open up a corridor that could be used for various types of recreation, provide river access, and connect users from HWY 50 to the western side of the park.
Opens a mile of the river to recreation access for fishing, swimming, and bird watching (currently closed to recreation because it is in the middle of golf play).
Creates a new recreation access near the clubhouse, including trailhead and picnic tables.
Constructs a new ADA accessible trail paralleling the south-east side of river to increases connectivity: Trail will connect the Sawmill Bike Trail and HWY 50 Trail to new bridge (see map).
Delivers a new bridge to serve mixed recreation and constructs a new connector trail to trails on the west side of river, providing greater regional connectivity and increasing visitor access to Washoe Meadows State Park (which currently does not have any developed access or parking).
Improves and keeps the 18 hole regulation golf course delivering an updated layout and irrigation (anticipate course to remain open during construction).
Gives potential for the Clubhouse to become more of a visitor center—a gateway to the Tahoe Basin- and provide more interpretation.
California State Parks will launch a planning process for the reconfigured Washoe Meadows State Parks to determine recreation uses and trail systems. This planning process will be in coordination with the Meyers Community Plan Update. The plan will be confirmed through the public planning process and could include elements such as new trails, fishing access, cross-country skiing trailheads and parking.
Strengthens the Local Economy
Keeps a key revenue generator for California State Parks and South Lake Tahoe: the 18-hole regulation golf course will continue to sustainably produce economic benefits.
Keeps tourism dollars related to golf course coming to South Lake Tahoe.
Maintains employment in South Lake Tahoe: both Lake Tahoe Golf Course and golf related tourism jobs.
Keeps parks open: the golf course revenue currently benefits other State parks to keep them open and operating on an annual basis.
Provides affordable golf recreation to the local community and visitors.
Boosts economy directly and incrementally as approximately 2/3 of golf rounds are played by visitors from out of town. These visitors also spend money on lodging, meals, and additional related tourism that supports the local economy.
