Pacific Southwest Research Station

Pollutant Reduction

Issue: Fine sediments, nutrients,and other pollutants pose major threats to the clarity of Lake Tahoe. Roads and highways can also be a substantial source and conveyance of pollutants, both through generation of road dust and through runoff into waterways. Best management practices (BMPs) are designed and implemented to prevent these pollutants from entering downstream waterways.

Research projects are examining how to avoid generating pollutants at their source and how to effectively trap them before they enter Lake Tahoe using BMPs.

Subcategories and Projects

Sources of Fine Sediment

Research will provide a more detailed understanding of the specific sources, transport, and treatability of fine sediments from watershed sources.

Round 8: Using fingerprinting to determine sources of highway sediment

Round 7: Sources and transport of fine sediment  (WEPP Modeling)

Road Management BMPs

Research will evaluate the impacts of highway deicing and other road management practices on the loading of fine sediment and nutrients to Lake Tahoe.

Round 7: Erosion of fine sediment from roads (WEPP-Road) 

Round 7: Road dust control

Pollutant Reduction BMPs

Research will design a monitoring program to assess the effectiveness of BMPs in reducing pollutants. 

Round 8: Potential of flood plains to retain fine sediments

Round 8: Water quality modeling toolbox for pollutant reduction

Round 8: Implications of climate change for design of best management practices

Round 7: Performance of Best Management Practices (BMPs)