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2018 Map of Emerald Bay

Name: 2018 Topographic Map of Emerald Bay
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2018
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2018

About this map

Emerald Bay and the shoreline of southwestern Lake Tahoe dominate this 2018 survey, highlighting the geography of high-elevation glacial carved basins. The iconic Fannette Island sits at the center of the bay, while the dramatic terrain rises sharply toward Mt Tallac and Jakes Peak in the Eldorado National Forest. This modern record reveals the dense network of recreation and access, from the high-country paths of the Bayview Trail and Floating Island Trail to the waterfront development at Tahoe Keys.

Transitioning from the wilderness of Granite Lake and Snow Lake to the established communities of Tahoe Valley and Camp Richardson, the map shows the delicate balance between the natural landscape and the residential clusters at the lake’s edge. Notable features like Glen Alpine Spring and Fallen Leaf illustrate the legacy of early alpine retreats, while the complex road networks around Gardner Mtn and Tallac Village detail the footprint of modern settlement in Lake Valley.