Beginning in 2017, the TERC nearshore algae-monitoring program has been examining the entire shoreline of Lake Tahoe in a novel and powerful way. TERC flies an instrumented helicopter and a drone many times each year to locate the spatial extent of algal blooms and the location of specific hotspots. After each flight, TERC staff and volunteers visit specific locations to take photos and samples to establish the “ground truth” of what was seen from the air. Compared to the traditional method of monitoring, where divers would sample a fixed set of individual locations, valuable new information is being acquired. Whereas the previous data showed that the amount of algae was not changing over the long-term, we are now learning that the areas impacted does change radically and may be increasing due to the combined effects of warming water temperatures and changing water levels. Join us to hear updates about the nearshore algae-monitoring program with UC Davis ecologist Dr. Adrianne Smits.

Dr. Adrianne Smits is an aquatic ecosystem ecologist at UC Davis. Her research focuses on how climate variation drives ecological processes in freshwaters. Her current research areas include 1) the climate sensitivity of high elevation lakes in California, 2) understanding trends and drivers in nearshore algal growth at Lake Tahoe, 3) impact of increasing wildfire smoke exposure on freshwater ecosystems, and 4) food web dynamics and productivity in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

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In-person event details

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Presentation begins at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets purchased in advance are $10 through Eventbrite and free for students with a student ID. Tickets at the door are $15. Refreshments and a no-host bar will be available from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The lecture will begin at 6 p.m. in the Mountainside Bar at Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge, 1850 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA 96145.

Enjoy dinner at Sunnyside either before or after the lecture where participants will be treated to 20% off their entire meal. 

For more information call 775-881-7560 or email tercinfo@ucdavis.edu.

Can't make it in-person? Join us at the presentation date and time on zoom for a livestream of the presentation: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/97788118385.

We are excited to partner with Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge as the location for the UC Davis TERC Science Speaker lecture series to be held at Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge in Tahoe City (directions). Free self-parking on-site and across the street.