Tuesday August 18, 2026
Maven’s Notebook —
California’s lakes tell the story of the state itself: breathtaking beauty, deep cultural history, complex environmental challenges, and communities working together to protect places that matter. From the volcanic basin of Clear Lake to the alpine clarity of Lake Tahoe and the desert expanse of the Salton Sea, each water body reflects a different part of California’s natural richness—and each is at a turning point.
“We have the highest point in the country, the lowest point, the tallest trees, the largest trees, the oldest trees, all sorts of different ecosystems and different landscapes,” said Wade Crowfoot, Secretary of Natural Resources. “Part of this natural richness are very different water bodies, including really important water bodies from both an ecological environmental perspective as well as a cultural, recreation, community, and economic perspective.”
That richness was the focus of a webinar hosted by Secretary Wade Crowfoot, which highlighted three priority lakes—Clear Lake, Lake Tahoe, and the Salton Sea—and the partnerships, restoration efforts, and community leadership shaping their futures.