Visitors urged to steer clear of a well-known Lake Tahoe beach due to the presence of harmful E. coli bacteria in the water.
As of early August 2025, high levels of E. coli contamination have been detected near Camp Richardson Resort at Lake Tahoe following a sewage leak discovered on August 1. The U.S. Forest Service's Tahoe Basin Management Unit is advising the public to avoid swimming, paddling, and boating in the water from Jameson Beach to the Valhalla Boathouse on the southern shore as a precaution due to elevated E. coli levels.
The source of the contamination is believed to be a leaking sewer line near the resort. Officials are actively collecting and analyzing more water samples around Camp Richardson to determine when it will be safe to resume normal water activities.
No reported illnesses have been linked to the E. coli contamination at Lake Tahoe. However, the public is advised to stay out of the water from Jameson Beach to the Valhalla Boathouse until further notice. Nearby beaches such as Pope Beach and Baldwin Beach currently have no advisories, indicating the contamination is localized near Camp Richardson.
The advisory duration has not been specifically stated yet; it depends on ongoing water quality test results and the completion of sewer line repairs, which began immediately after detecting the contamination. The U.S. Forest Service is working diligently to repair the leaking sewer line and ensure the safety of the public and the environment.
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Tests in other parts of Lake Tahoe continue to come up clean, indicating that the contamination is localized to the specific area from Jameson Beach to the Valhalla Boathouse. The Tahoe Basin Management Unit will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as more information becomes available.
In summary, the public should avoid water activities near Camp Richardson until further notice while officials monitor bacterial levels and complete remediation. Stay tuned for updates and stay safe!
[1] U.S. Forest Service Press Release, August 2, 2025. [3] Lake Tahoe News, August 3, 2025.
Scientists are closely monitoring the E. coli contamination near Camp Richardson Resort at Lake Tahoe, with a focus on improving both public health-and-wellness and environmental-science by determining the source and extent of the contamination, as well as when it will be safe to resume normal water activities. The U.S. Forest Service is diligently working on sewer line repairs to address the leaking sewer line and prevent future contamination incidents.
