- Location: Lake Tahoe is located in the United States, straddling the border between California and Nevada states. It sits high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at an elevation of 6,225 feet above sea level.
- Counties Bordering Lake Tahoe: The lake spans multiple counties.
- El Dorado County (California): Southern shore
- Placer County (California): Northern and western shore
- Washoe County (Nevada): Northeastern shore
- Carson City (Nevada): Southeastern shore
- Major Cities: Popular towns and communities surround the lake and support tourism and recreation.
- South Lake Tahoe (California) – Largest city on the lake
- Tahoe City (California)
- Kings Beach (California)
- Incline Village (Nevada)
- Stateline (Nevada)
- Zephyr Cove (Nevada)
- Size: Lake Tahoe is one of the deepest and clearest freshwater lakes in North America.
- Surface Area: ~191–193 sq mi (490–500 sq km)
- Volume: ~122 million acre-feet (~156 cubic km)
- Maximum Length: ~22 mi (33–35 km)
- Maximum Width: ~12 mi (18–19 km)
- Average Depth: ~989 ft (301 m)
- Maximum Depth: 1,645 ft (501–505 m)
- Shoreline: ~72–75 mi (116 km)
- Formation: Formed 2–3 million years ago by tectonic faulting, volcanic activity, and glacial carving.
- Major Rivers Feeding Lake Tahoe: More than 60 tributaries supply the lake, along with snowmelt and precipitation.
- Upper Truckee River
- Taylor Creek
- Blackwood Creek
- Trout Creek
- Third Creek
- Truckee River
- Islands: Lake Tahoe has only one island.
- Fannette Island (California) – Located in Emerald Bay; features historic Tea House ruins
- Temperature: Water temperatures vary by season and depth.
- Winter Surface: ~40–50°F (4–10°C)
- Summer Surface: ~65–70°F (18–21°C), occasionally near 75°F
- Deep Water (below ~900 ft): ~41°F (5°C) year-round
- Wildlife: Forests and lake waters support diverse species.
- Mammals: American black bear, mule deer, coyote, marmot
- Birds: Bald eagle, golden eagle, osprey, migratory waterfowl
- Reptiles/Amphibians: Western rattlesnake, frogs, salamanders
- Fish: Both native and introduced species inhabit the lake.
- Native: Lahontan cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, Tui chub
- Introduced: Lake trout (Mackinaw), rainbow trout, brown trout
- Largest Fish: Lake trout – Can exceed 40 lbs; dominant deep-water predator
- Shipwrecks: Several historic vessels rest beneath the lake’s deep waters.
- SS Tahoe
- Nevada
- Meteor
- Shanghai