KINGS BEACH, Calif. – It’s still winter, but that hasn’t stopped some basin organizations from preparing summer plans for Kings Beach that may create noticeable changes once warmer temperatures hit the sand.

Increased dumpsters, trash cans and toilets are a few of the changes beachgoers can expect to see as the League to Save Lake Tahoe implements its Blue Beach program. The organization seeks to reduce litter on the beach through the program amid its over-arching goal of keeping Tahoe blue.

Recent years have shown a slight increase in litter weight at the beach after the league’s annual Keep Tahoe Red, White, & Blue July 5 cleanup. Since 2020, the weight each year has increased slightly, approaching 200 pounds and eventually exceeding it in 2023. In 2024, the amount nearly doubled, jumping to around 400 pounds.

The League is finding solutions that will alleviate this uptick and its potential impacts by working with land managers, businesses, and concessions at the beach and using three E’s as guidelines, education, enforcement, and engineering.

There are plans to satisfy the first E with increased and improved educational signs pointing to facilities and sharing tips on the Tahoe way of protecting the beach. The on location education will get complimented with coordinated messaging about responsible recreation from Destination Stewardship Plan partners in an effort to influence behaviors.

Increased staffing will usher more hands on deck for trash and bathroom services during busy summer holidays, filling in the second E for enforcement.

The engineering aspect will manifest with the increased dumpsters, trashcans and toilets to manage waste. That’s in addition to infrastructure that directs foot-traffic during high-use periods.

“The goal is to apply the Tahoe Blue Beach model on every inch of the shoreline – to make the right choice the easy choice for beachgoers to enjoy Tahoe responsibly,” the league says.

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