Endangered cress grows at Tahoe

A unique and endangered yellow mustard plant has found places to grow despite high Lake Tahoe levels this year.

Tahoe yellow cress grows only on beaches at Lake Tahoe, which have shrunk this year because the water level is higher than it's been in five years, at 6,229 feet above sea level.

"With the high lake elevation, the yellow cress has moved into very discrete locations along the beaches that are not flooded," said Rick Robinson, who manages watershed restoration for the California Tahoe Conservancy.

"The real concern is that the plant is sharing the same sandy beach as the public, and with there being so little beach available for both, it makes the plant more subject to being trampled," he said.

The plant is considered endangered in California and is a candidate for listing on Nevada's endangered species list.

The lake reached its highest level at 6,229 feet in mid-June. Because of legal agreements among several parties, the water level must not go higher than 6,229 feet.

A federal water master regulates the lake level through a dam at Tahoe City.

It's been five years since Lake Tahoe water levels have been as high.

Two heavy winters have brought the region out of drought. Meadows are flourishing with wildflowers, but yellow cress' beach habitat is smaller.

The groundcover plant blooms this time of year with small yellow flowers. It grows just above the area on a beach where waves are constantly active, in what is called the wave-wash zone. High ground water in these areas provides a supply of moisture, despite dry air conditions.

"It keeps a constant relationship with the ground water provided by the lake," Robinson said.