What Tahoe’s Beach Robots Are Revealing
New 2025 BEBOT StoryMap: Exploring the Impact of Tahoe’s Beach-Cleaning Robots
Published March 29th, 2026 | ECO-CLEAN Solutions
Image: BEBOT in action at Kings Beach, June 2026. Photo by ECO-CLEAN Solutions
What’s really hiding beneath Tahoe’s beaches?
Over four seasons of cleanups, BEBOT has uncovered tens of thousands of litter items buried beneath the sand, many of which would have otherwise gone unnoticed. With each cleanup, BEBOT is not only removing litter but collecting valuable data that is helping reshape how we protect Lake Tahoe.
That work, made possible through a partnership between ECO-CLEAN Solutions, Desert Research Institute, and Keep Tahoe Blue, is now available to explore in a new interactive StoryMap.
A Milestone Year for BEBOT
Tahoe’s fleet of beach-cleaning robots reached an impressive milestone in 2025, with three BEBOT units completing 20 cleanings across 11 beaches around the lake.
Since launching in 2022, the program has completed more than 60 cleanups, covering over 1.5 million square feet of shoreline. Each pass removes litter from both above and below the sand, helping stop pollution before it reaches the water.
BEBOT completed a cleanup at Mourelatos Resort on Tahoe’s North Shore. Photo by ECO-CLEAN Solutions
What You’ll Find in the StoryMap
This interactive StoryMap offers a closer look at what BEBOT is uncovering beneath Tahoe’s beaches and why it matters.
Inside, you’ll explore:
The types of litter most commonly found beneath the sand
How litter concentrations change over time at high-use beaches
Why subsurface cleaning plays a key role in protecting water quality
How data is guiding more effective beach-cleaning strategies
One key takeaway: BEBOT can detect and remove significantly more litter than what’s visible on the surface, giving land managers a clearer picture of beach conditions.
BEBOT completes a cleanup at Meeks Bay resort in August 2026. Photo by ECO-CLEAN Solutions
Data Driving Better Beach Management
The data collected through these cleanings is helping agencies, land managers, and resort partners rethink how beaches are maintained.
By mapping cleaning zones with GPS and returning to the same areas over time, this work is building a clearer understanding of litter trends and how to address them more effectively. Early findings suggest litter concentrations may be declining at some sites, a promising sign for Tahoe’s shoreline.
This is just the beginning. With better data, stronger partnerships, and continued innovation, we’re building a smarter path forward for protecting Tahoe’s beaches. Stay tuned for more updates as we kick off our operational season in May 2026.