U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Sierra Division 11

Author: Jack Leth-Sierra Division Operations Officer

On 07 & 08-Dec-2009 the temperatures at Lake Tahoe dropped 20° to 25° below normal and close to a foot of snow fell at lake level.

Here are a few photos of the impact on the Camie Marie, which was moored at Sierra Boat Company to be used for two-boat training with CG Station Lake Tahoe. The General Manager of Sierra Boat reported that he recorded below zero temperatures both nights at the slips.

There was about 4 inches of snow on the boat cover.

At the bow, which is further under the "shed", there was a lot less.

Note the (horizontal) icicles along the water line. The water temperature in the marina dropped from the normal mid 40's to the low 30's and the wind did the rest.

Sheets of ice formed in parts of the marina, which almost never happens!

Fortunately the water near the boat was kept agitated which prevented ice from forming there.

Hopefully the return of "normal" winter temperatures will allow us to continue training with Station Tahoe. When the temps are in the single digits tow lines freeze pretty fast (and pretty hard).