Massive Underwater Cleanup Launches in the Deep Waters of Lake Tahoe
The Tahoe nonprofit Clean Up The Lake (CUTL) — best known for completing the historic 72-mile SCUBA cleanup around Lake Tahoe’s shoreline in 2021–2022 — is diving deeper than ever before. The organization has officially launched its 72 Mile Deep Clean, a large-scale effort to remove submerged litter between 35 and 55 feet around the entire lake.
The project expands on CUTL’s original cleanup, which focused on depths of 0–25 feet. After years of research, monitoring, and more than 60 deep-dive surveys, the team found significant amounts of debris hiding farther below the surface. Early data suggests the deeper effort could remove 17,000 to 29,000 additional pounds of litter.
Divers will rely on advanced tools, including propulsion vehicles and enriched air nitrox, to safely extend dive time at these depths. In addition to removing trash, the team will GPS-mark heavier items, document any historical artifacts, and report aquatic invasive species or algal blooms to partner agencies.
The December 11 launch event featured CUTL founder Colin West, board members, volunteers, and partner organizations. Immediately after the announcement, divers began the project’s first official deep-clean dives.
West said the team once joked about needing a “second lap” around Tahoe, but years of research made the deeper cleanup unavoidable. CUTL’s Programs Manager added that nearly every deep survey revealed hundreds of pounds of litter.
The effort is supported by major partners, including the North Tahoe Community Alliance, The Martis Fund, Martis Camp Foundation, Tahoe Fund, and others. Funding currently covers the North Shore portion of the project; additional public and corporate donations will be needed as the team moves toward Tahoe’s South Shore.
