Big changes destined for the Lake Tahoe basin has California legislators scrambling for dollars to fund the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2010, which will no doubt end up as “California Pork” inside some other piece of legislation…

Responding to a recent study produced by UC Davis, which suggests 50% less snow for the Sierras, an earlier thaw, massive flooding of the Truckee River, which will eventually run dry by the end of the century, and phosphorous precipitation and removal of dissolved oxygen, will transform the area and surrounding watersheds into something much less picturesque.

… with the inevitable fight over the remnants of the Truckee, as it’s one of the primary sources of fresh water for Reno, Pyramid Lake, and some of the farm communities within Nevada.

Add to that mixture the “degree per decade warming trend” and Tahoe might find new life as one of many trophy largemouth lakes and a regular host to B.A.S.S  tournaments.

There’s plenty of hotel rooms, and them bright lights of Reno will still beckon to the unwary.