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Cryptid

Tahoe Tessie

Lake Tahoe's depths reach 1,645 feet—deep enough to hide anything. Divers report seeing massive serpentine shapes. Indigenous Washoe people told of water babies that drown the unwary.

1950s - Present
Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada, United States
300+ witnesses

Tahoe Tessie lurks in one of America’s deepest lakes.

The Lake

Lake Tahoe:

  • 1,645 feet deep
  • Second deepest in US
  • Crystal clear water
  • Year-round cold
  • Could hide large creatures

Indigenous Legends

The Washoe people:

  • Spoke of underwater cave
  • Evil spirits within
  • Water babies (Ong)
  • Would drown swimmers
  • Avoided certain areas

Modern Sightings

Since the 1950s:

  • Large serpentine creature
  • 10-80 feet long
  • Dark colored
  • Moves quickly
  • Multiple witnesses

The Descriptions

Witnesses report:

  • Long serpentine body
  • Humps visible
  • Large head
  • Rapid movement
  • Quick submersion

Notable Encounters

Significant sightings:

  • 1950s tourist reports
  • 1970s underwater divers
  • 1980s boat sonar contacts
  • 2000s kayaker encounters
  • Ongoing reports

The Depths

What makes it possible:

  • Extreme depth
  • Cold temperatures
  • Large fish population
  • Underwater caves
  • Uncharted areas

Underwater Mysteries

Lake Tahoe also has:

  • Preserved bodies at depth
  • Undiscovered wrecks
  • Thermal anomalies
  • Strange sonar readings
  • Much unexplored

Sources

  • Lake Tahoe cryptid research and witness accounts