Month: March 2023

Lake Tahoe Flips Due to Extra-Chilly Winter

There’s no question that this winter was one for the records. From all the calls we received about how to shovel snow from a roof to the intricate engineering and architectural design one needs for higher elevation homes, we will remember this one for a long time to come.

While we were caring for our clients and shoveling our own driveways, Lake Tahoe was experiencing an unusual winter as well.

This past month, the Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) shared the news that Lake Tahoe had actually ‘flipped’ or mixed vertically from top to bottom. According to the experts at TERC, most years, the mixing does not extend beyond 1,000 feet.

Full mixing is an annual event in shallower lakes, however for Lake Tahoe and its 1,640-foot depth, it is a less common occurrence. Lake Tahoe last mixed during the 2018-19 winter. Typically mixing starts in the fall, with the surface layer of the lake cooling and gradually mixing deeper. Most years, the mixing does not extend beyond 1,000 feet.

What causes the mixing? TERC explained that the air temperature is the largest factor, not the intensity of individual storms. As this has been a particularly cold winter, it caused the Lake to mix deeper and weeks earlier compared to most other years.

So, is that a good thing? Yes. They told us that lake mixing is extremely good as it renews the water at the Lake bottom with “fresh” oxygen-rich water from the surface.

As we wrap up this ski season and winter to remember, we thank all the unsung heroes who kept the roads clear, our utilities intact and businesses running throughout it all!

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

Low Elevation Golf Course Lots for Sale in Nevada

Clear Creek Tahoe Golf Resort Development at Lake Tahoe

(Photo courtesy of Clear Creek Tahoe)

Now that Lake Tahoe and Truckee are on the record books for snowpack and most recently – the lowest temperature on record in March, it’s no wonder our phone is busy with clients seeking lower grounds. For years we helped so many of our friends find property and design a mountain home wrapped with spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. With over 10 feet of snow on their rooftops, they are seeking our advice on heading over the hill to the prestigious Clear Creek Tahoe. Although there is certainly snow on its 18-hole golf course, the inches they have don’t equal up to what our clients are seeing outside their front door in Lake Tahoe.

Time for a Home on the (Golf) Range

Fortunately for those who are seeking a home with all the amenities they are used to in Truckee, or Lake Tahoe, there is still land to be found on which to build a new dream home, that comes with those popular Nevada tax advantages.

Let me introduce you to Clear Creek Tahoe where I have designed several homes that are either completed or under construction. Their website tells it best:

The homesites at Clear Creek Tahoe are as dramatic and diverse as the land itself. The property offers captivating site features such as dramatic rock outcroppings, diverse topography, spectacular long vistas and secluded wooded settings. Our onsite sales and design review teams are invaluable resources to assist in your initial lot selection all the way through construction. Seasoned and professional, their collective resumes include experience at some of the finest master-planned communities in the Western United States.

Along Headwaters Way are seven homesites that all enjoy beautiful views of our esteemed Clear Creek practice range as well as the mountains rising behind. Light-filled, private, and for those who love golf, a priceless place to hone one’s game. We’ll expect all these owners to be the best putters in the club. Just across the way are two expansive sites on Twain Court.

Set above Clear Creek and the great meadow, there are beautiful places to set out for a hike. The entire community is without question, one of the Base Camps for adventure with hiking, biking, golf, and their own private Lake Tahoe retreat to enjoy year-round.

Here’s a map of the homesites for sale at this magnificent golf community in Nevada. If you would like a tour, I know the neighborhood well and would be happy to show you around. And when you are ready to build, call the team at Borelli Architecture which specializes in golf course home designs in Nevada.

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

How and When to Shovel Snow from Your Roof

According to the records, the last time Lake Tahoe had a snowfall like this year’s was back in 1970! With this subject at hand, we are reposting a former Blog to help all of you who live in the region with this important information.

So it is no surprise that our architect firm in Truckee and Lake Tahoe is getting calls about snow removal … from the roof. Although we certainly know all about designing mountain homes that meet the structural requirements for significant snowfall like we are experiencing today, when it comes to the question of how to remove snow from the rooftops, we refer our clients to professionals who know how to safely get the job done.

To help you start your own research on the subject, we found an excellent article posted on State Farm Insurance’s website.

Here are the highlights of the story posed by the question “How do you know if you have too much snow on the roof?”

One cubic foot of fluffy, dry snow weighs about three pounds. The same amount of dense, wet snow can weigh as much as 21 pounds. While most roofs are built to withstand more than that, your roof may be under too much pressure if you see these signs:

Visible sagging along the roofline
Cracks in the ceiling or on the walls
Popping or creaking noises
Difficult-to-open doors and windows

As it melts excess snow can also lead to ice dams — melting snow refreezes and can damage your home’s interior under the eave line.

How to safely clear your roof

Keep the following in mind:

Hire a professional. A person who does this work regularly should know the best techniques and likely be insured.
Never work alone. Always have someone with you in case you slip or have an emergency.
Clear the area. The ladder up to your roof should be positioned on solid ground. Also, make sure the rungs are clear of ice and snow before you climb.
Secure yourself. If possible, use a strap or belt to anchor yourself to something strong, like a chimney.
Avoid shingle damage. Stay away from picks, hammers, or other sharp tools to clear snow and ice.
Use the right tools. If you have a one-story or flat-roofed house, invest in a snow rake. These long-handled tools with plastic blades can help you gently pull snow from the edge of the roof line.

Inasmuch as this is a good recap of how to get the job done, our team at Borelli Architecture suggests you seek professionals to get the job done. Roofing companies and possibly professional tree removal companies would be a good place to start. Here’s a link to the Better Business Bureau’s recommendations.

In the meantime, if you want more details about how to build a structurally sound home in the mountains, feel free to reach out at any time.

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060