a few interesting facts:
Rivers Of Ice: A Daily Grind
Over the past million years, extended cold periods known as the Ice Ages caused huge glaciers to grow in the surrounding mountains. The broad U-shaped valleys that hold Emerald Bay, Fallen Leaf Lake, and Cascade Lake were carved by these rivers of ice.
How large and deep is Lake Tahoe?
Lake Tahoe is 22 miles long, 12 miles wide, and has 72 miles of shoreline. Lake Tahoe's greatest depth of 1,595 feet makes it the third deepest lake in North America and the tenth deepest in the world. The bottom of the lake is actually 92 feet below the level of Carson City, Nevada.
How much water is in Lake Tahoe?
Over 37 trillion gallons. If completely drained, Lake Tahoe could cover a flat area the size of California to a depth of 14 inches, but would take over 700 years to refill.
What's the elevation?
Lake Tahoe's average surface elevation is about 6,225 feet above sea level, making it the highest lake of its size in the United States. Its exact elevation depends on the amount of snowmelt and rainfall the basin receives. During drought conditions, Lake Tahoe can drop below the rim of its natural outlet at Tahoe City. When that happens, no water flows out of the lake into the Truckee River.
Where does the water go?
Sixty-three streams flow into Lake Tahoe, but only one, the Truckee River, flows out past Reno and into Pyramid Lake. Unlike most bodies of water in North America, Tahoe's water never flows into the ocean. Lake Tahoe also loses much of its water to evaporation; if the water that evaporates from the lake every 24 hours could be recovered, it would supply the daily requirements of a city the size of Los Angeles.
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http://www.tahoesbest.com/camping/forest_facts.htm
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