In Lake Tahoe folklore, Tahoe Tessie is a creature which resides in North America's largest alpine lake, Lake Tahoe, located in Nevada and California. It is said to live in an underwater tunnel that is beneath Cave Rock. Founder of the University of California, Davis's Tahoe Research Group Charles R. Goldman attributes claimed sightings to pareidolia and the mistaken identification of a large breed of fish introduced to Lake Tahoe during trout and mackinaw plantings. The talk of Tessie is similar to the Loch Ness monster "Nessie".
The closest anyone ever came to figuring out Tahoe’s mysteries was in the mid-1970s. Famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau brought a mini-submarine to the lake, and did several dives in search of the 1,600-foot bottom. He returned to the surface allegedly saying, “The world isn’t ready for what is down there,” and to his death refused to release any pictures or data from the expedition.
In popular culture
Tahoe Tessie is a popular logo for many Tahoe-based companies, with a cartoon version being in many children's picture books, and a popular character featured in local newspapers. There used to be a local museum and hotline, but both have closed. Purported sightings continue in modern times.
See also
Igopogo, said to live in Lake Simcoe, Ontario
Manipogo, said to live in Lake Manitoba, Manitoba
Memphre, said to live in Lake Memphremagog, Quebec
Seelkee, said to live in the swamps of what is now Chilliwack, in British Columbia Underwater panther, a mythological water-being common in North-American Indian lore List of reported lake monsters