Underwater photographer captures clarity of Lake Tahoe

[TexasTowelie]

Journalist and photographer Dylan Silver slips into a 9 mm-thick wetsuit, booties and gloves before diving into Lake Tahoe on a winter day, underwater camera in hand.

Below the surface it’s quiet — no boats churning up the water, decreasing the lake’s famous clarity, or other swimmers disturbing his solitude. The water temperature is around 40 degrees, after all, and there’s snow in the mountains.

“I’ve been swimming and snorkeling in Lake Tahoe since I was eight when my family lived in Gardnerville,” said Silver. “My mom would bring me up, and I would motor around on my little rubber raft, jump in and swim down into the depths.”

When Silver discovered an interest in photography from his work as a journalist, the idea of combining that with his passion for swimming in the lake seemed like a natural next step.

Read more and view more photos: http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/local/underwater-photographer-captures-clarity-of-lake-tahoe/

[sheshe2]

1. Awesome!

Thanks, Tex.

[TexasTowelie]

2. You're welcome.

I thought some tranquil photos would provide some clarity and soothe the nerves considering what is happening in the political world. It makes roaming through the pages of the various publications around the country worth it.

[sheshe2]

3. Tranquil is good, Tex.

[Afromania]

4. wallpaper

That's definitely going to be a background on some device around here

[TexasTowelie]

5. It certainly is a good idea

and something that is different.

[niyad]

6. lake tahoe is truly amazing. thank you for sharing these pics.

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.

. . . .

http://www.tahoesbest.com/camping/forest_facts.htm

[TexasTowelie]

7. You are welcome for the pictures since I doubt many people on DU

read the Nevada Appeal. Thanks for all of the facts that you presented on Lake Tahoe also.

[niyad]

8. I read the reno paper once in a while, and las vegas as well.

It can be a bit unnerving to be in carson city, and realize that the lake that is so high above you in that mountain actually extends nearly 100 feet below where you are standing. just think earthquake (of which there have been more than a few there!)

[lunatica]

9. I've been there and the photos don't do it justice

It is the most gorgeous color imaginable. Emerald. It's breathtaking.

[SunSeeker]

10. I still get shivers thinking about the time I dove into that ice cold lake.

And it was summer.

I can't imagine diving into that lake in the winter. Brrrrrrrr.

[TexasTowelie]

11. Yes, I heard it was cold

and that shrinkage could be an issue.