Drought, Money Issues Delay Opening Of Tahoe Keys Marina

The Tahoe Keys Marina in South Lake Tahoe would normally be open by now. But because of the drought, it's expected that the marina won't open until mid-June.

Nearly every slip at the Tahoe Keys Marina is empty. Office Manager Heather Starr tells callers, dredging the entrance channels means boats can not get in. She has to turn them away.

“Everybody is upset," says Starr.

Well, not everybody. Frank DeGregory lives in the Keys, has a boat and a message for people who are upset.

“Tell them to relax, wait an extra month and the channel will be clear," says DeGregory.

But the big yellow tractors on barges, digging sand out of the channel keep stopping.

Starr says the problem is money. Some homeowners associations are resisting contributing to the $1 million project. That means there are legal fees and more delays.

“The date keeps getting later and later," says Starr. "So, hopefully we will be done mid-June.”

The problem isn’t just at Tahoe Keys and it isn’t just at marinas.

Jay Swartley of Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters says big boats have a big problem.

“Charter boats fishing boats and stuff that actually can’t get to the dock to gas up even," says Swartley.

Swartley says the answer is to adapt to the changing environment.