The UGLY TRUTH about CLEAR LAKE. Part 2

Welcome back. Today we dive deeper into the history of the largest surface area natural lake in California. Not everyone likes this living lake but to us it’s home. We also see a bear and some pigs that stop by to visit. Thank you for joining us.

[@konoctiswigwam8130]

I have held my dream for 24 years and was finally able to start building a few years ago...I bought my property 24 years ago this coming Sept 18th. Every else in my family has frowned on the idea of my dream, to build a home to leave to my kids. From your view of Konocti you must be on the north shore over by the narrows possibly. I'm in Horseshoe Bay, one of the worst places on the lake for algae blooms. I should have my shop dried in soon, but what really caught my attention was the pigs on your property towards the end at 5:24 I have been planning to hunt pigs in the area and I have never seen any in Buckingham. Hoping to hunt around Ukiah. I live in the bay area right now...my wife never liked Lake County, my family tried to talk me out of it, everyone asked me about meth labs and crackheads, but I have never run into those types of people in lake county. Many people thumb their nose at Lake County, but I love it. I always seem to see the beauty within it. When I look out from 3rd street the lake is beautiful, driving around Soda Bay, or even driving over 175 from Hopland, it is the quintessential California...rolling hills with oaks...my dream still seems so far away, but I won't let it go...

[@mikestanley9176]

My grandparents had some friends that had a house right on the lake back in the late 70s. we were visiting in 1978 and I was fishing off their dock. I managed to hook a 3.5 pound bass and several catfish. It was so beautiful back then.

[@grandpaslakehouse-homestea6113]

It is still beautiful from Oct to June. Clear water and lots of fish. The wife caught a 5lb not to long ago. Thank you for watching

[@charlesthatcher9160]

@@grandpaslakehouse-homestea6113 Oh from Oct to June, the water is clearer? Does it smell from July to September?

[@philrulon]

I actually think Clear Lake is a fairly cool place to visit. I might imagine retiring there one day. There are problems, but there’s a lot to like. I spent a weekend in Lakeport last year, not perfect, but there were no rows of tents along the main drag. Give thanks for small blessings.

[@hyssean12]

Lakeport is nice I moved here 2 years ago. Love it up here. The lake is full and beautiful now. Just don't go into clearlake it is complete shit everyone is white trash pretty much lol.

[@baref1959]

clear lake is a shallow "eutrophic" lake. i dont suppose it is so much the historic pollution as the age of the lake. the ucd studies may or may not enlighten the reason the lake has algae blooms but for eutrophic lakes it is just the norm. understanding the periods between algae bloom and clarity require a much deeper dive (pun intended).

[@Kasper623]

Been coming to Clear Lake since I was in my mom’s belly. I’m damn near 40. Your videos and your intro did a perfect explanation to the way outsiders view. Clear lake. Thank you for the information. This was a great post. Hopefully I’ll see you on the lake someday.

[@TUMARK2]

There is a lot of interesting California history in Clearlake. Yolo County owns the water in Clearlake, at least the top layer. There is a formula based on the Rumsey gauge readings of the lake level that dictates how much water is released through the Cache Creek Dam for irrigation for Yolo County farmers. The algae blooms ( cyanobacteria actually ) happens because the lake is rich in nutrients and there is a low flushing rate of water due to the only outlet is Cache Creek. So during algae die off the nutrients get recycled back into the water column for next years bloom. There has been progress made in slowing the introduction of new nutrients into the lake. But even if there was zero nutrients added, it has been estimated it would be at least 100 years before the nutrient levels would be reduced enough to make a difference in the blooms. Clearlake is very unique, it is the oldest lake in north america. Normally in the life of a lake it gradually fills in with silt, becomes a marsh then a fertile grassland. Clearlake, thanks to volcanic actions, the lake bottom keeps dropping, so it hasnt filled in. There is a superfund toxic waste site on the shores of the Clearlake Oaks arm of the lake. Mercury has leached from old borax mines and is being contained there. Federal EPA just finished local public input on how to proceed with cleanup. That might start in 2024 or 25. There is a mystery about a hidden underground lake beneath Mt. Konocti that was formed from a cavern left when magma receded. There are tales of local tribes accessing the caverns and there has been attempts to rediscover access vents to what is believed to be the largest cavern in the US.

[@shanesskateboarding1430]

thanks for that info, hopefully find a video on that cavern

[@deannademerritt3488]

I just moved to Clearlake from Sacramento. Originally from southern Oregon where our lakes are crystal clear! It’s a change for sure, but we’re gonna have to check out more of the lake, thanks for the videos!

[@josephm7605]

How do you like living in not clearlake so far?

[@teamcougars]

I actually grew up in Kelseyville inLake County and it was a great place to grow up in ❤❤I really miss my hometown, unfortunately I don’t have any family left in the county both my parents have passed away as well as my uncle who lived in Lucern😢

[@tombosanko3085]

My cousin lived in Kelseyville with his family till he was killed on his motorcycle by a truck in the wrong lane.

[@jackmarage8138]

Would not say in 91 92 the lake was clear . If I recall right in 91 hundreds of thousands of raw sewage bleed into the lake from broken sewer line that's when I recall the lake going bad. It stunk real bad and u could see the wast floating on top of the water

[@user-by5hq1ow1k]

I love the video you've made. It is just the very tip of the iceberg about the problems Clearlake has and does face. As someone who lived in the area previously (between 2004 - 2010), the lake was likened to toxic sludge when I lived there. From certain parts of the lake, it didn't seem too terribly bad, for the most part, no one would dare set foot in it, let alone eat fish that came out of it. The allure of looking down on the great basin from the mountains when you drive in is more than some people can handle. It has this serenity and beauty that many may not be able to look beyond. I thought Lake County would be my heaven on earth when I first moved there.....unfortunately, it became my hell on earth. Between the overwhelming amount of violent crime, lack of jobs, infrastructure, and all-around depression that encompasses it, I commend any honest, loving, well-intentioned person who can live there full-time. May the favor odds ever be in your favor...because you will need it.

[@TJ-yh9jb]

I just got approved for a home on the water. You think moving my wife and 1 year old daughter out there is a bad idea? I’m in Long Beach California now

[@shanesskateboarding1430]

@@TJ-yh9jb what happened did you guys ever move?

[@TJ-yh9jb]

@@shanesskateboarding1430 Lol, nope! I went to visit and it became a notorious story at my work about me surviving real life GTA. There were so many crackheads I’m not kidding you I drove around for 20 minutes and saw 4-5 cars go off the rode and crash. I stayed at the Indian casino and I’ve never seen so many meth drivers in my life. We moved to big bear instead then broke up now I live alone!

[@shanesskateboarding1430]

@@TJ-yh9jb crazy, you sound like me. I’m in Colorado Springs. I tell people when you leave your house you get 1 ⭐️ in gta 😅. I hear you my old lady gone too, I’m glad though. Crazy meth heads. There is tons of homeless here on crack.

[@belindagray3005]

No it's not too much, it helped me to understand more of your area by knowing more of the history. I live in Alabama and it is like a totally different world to me when I see where you live. Instead if breathing hot humid air I imagine hot dry air. LOL I found it interesting.

[@grandpaslakehouse-homestea6113]

Yes it’s is very dry air. I know a lot of people out there hear California and think LA or SF and most of the state is much more like here just LA and SF is where all the people are. I know Alabama has some amazing history. I bet your property even has some great stories. Thank you.

[@divingduck9]

alabama is one of the most polluted states down south, its as toxic as clear lake, but w/ mega prisons where theyll lock u up for YEARS for a 20sack of weed. clearlake vastly preferable to living in backwards 21st century alabama!! atlanta lawyer who worked for yrs suing the industries that left alabama so poisoned clued me in... but of course just uphill from clearlake is borax lake & u sure dont wanna spend much time near that poisonous bog either... @@grandpaslakehouse-homestea6113

[@normansilver905]

Clear Lake has 2 Water Processing Plants built on the lake shore. Not for domestic water se but to help clean the water and screen off the algae. Some years the smell isn' very pleasant either.

[@grandpaslakehouse-homestea6113]

It has its ups and downs for sure. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment

[@jameswest4819]

There is a lot of mercury in the water so don't eat too many fish or suck up too much water.

[@jeffstever7754]

I moved there in 1972 my grandpa's cabin

[@Rick0125]

I was stationed in Sacramento area back in the day and traveled thru your area.. very beautiful around there as well as trips we took to south lake tahoe area.. I subd

[@grandpaslakehouse-homestea6113]

Thank you for your service Rick. We appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment.

[@collinsfriend1]

There's a lot more to Lake County too. Numerous trails for hiking, eagle watching etc

[@4bvenom733]

Clear lake is one of the nasty lake I've seen but heard fishes there are active. When people don't take care of the lake

[@francescaqueiroz5534]

was just there last week. It is beautiful!

[@hyssean12]

The lake and outdoors are beautiful. It's when you venture into clear lake city you see how rundown and shit it is. I stay in Lakeport and it's nice up here.

[@something_in_the_radiator1665]

Clear Lake and the surrounding towns are interesting to observe while gazing out the window, passing through the area. I want to stay at the Featherbed Inn but if I do I don't know of any fun activities in the area. Hiking?

[@grandpaslakehouse-homestea6113]

Tons of hiking. A great trail up MT. Konocti with amazing views. Past Upper Lake are small spring fed lakes called Blue Lakes. Any kind of water sport you can think of. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment. We hope these are a start of ideas. If you like entering views out the car window the city of Clearlake usually won’t disappoint. Lol

[@teamcougars]

Good hiking on Mt Konocti I grew up in Kelseyville at the base of Konocti lol 😂

[@Kingwenonah]

Why are there so many swimming docks on Clearlake? It’s like the lake changed in a bad way in a very short period of time. Did all of these houses/docks get built in the 90s

[@grandpaslakehouse-homestea6113]

When my grandparent bought this place in 84 most houses around us were all boarded up and the docks were falling down. In the late 90s early 2000s there was a big construction boom. The economy and growth here is very much dependent on the success of the bay area economy. When the market is hot we see growth and when the market is bad we collapse. The lake condition have seemed to have very little effect on the growth except in down times. In the 37 years I have been coming here and from all my grandparents have told me the lake has always been this way. Good years and bad. I am honestly shocked the lake is this nice this year with how low it is. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@hitsongsa]

Still looks beautiful!

[@beesandseeds]

Interesting. It’s so beautiful through there. My daughter is in Ukiah again until tomorrow and she sent me a picture of lake Mendocino again. This time the island I has no water around it. It’s so low. Is clear lake super low too?

[@grandpaslakehouse-homestea6113]

Yes it is getting very low. Nothing like Lake Mendocino but none the less all the lakes are low this year. Most of the spots I filmed on the shore line shots in the video would normally be under water. If she is looking to get into the water in this heat tell her to check out Blue Lakes. They are spring fed and beautiful.

[@rickcratty6335]

Have they checked if the DDT spraying in the 60s had any residual effects? I was a kid IN that water as the plane flew over.

[@ShaneRiddle]

Just visited ClearLake in 3rd week of June. I wish we would have known how low the water was and how bad the algae would be. We ended up cutting our vacation short and driving 8 hours back to Oregon since the lake was unswimmable and not safe. 😞 you could see how this area could be so beautiful but for now I’d stay away.

[@gerryww1]

You mentioned sewage going into the lake in 1950? Wonder if the polio outbreak triggered their concern? About the same time in Twin lakes WI where I lived, the polio outbreak was believed to have been caused by septic systems leaking into the lake carrying the polio virus. That community also got a village sewer and treatment plant.

[@Bex-rg8pj]

Interesting information!

[@grandpaslakehouse-homestea6113]

Hopefully everyone is enjoying this different format of videos once in awhile. As I dive down the rabbit hole of the lakes history I get excited to share it. If it’s too much let us know. We are a homestead channel first. Thank you for watching.

[@richardbtts2575]

I had my place since 2011,love this county dispite all the challanges been fishing and huntin srounding area since I was 10years old love it, drink bottled water to be on the safe side,and have a wonderl well,seams there is a real effort ,spraying to mtdagate the problem,whih is great hope it wpoks .i love this place been fishing it since i was 4 with my dad now 76 use to eat a lot of fish,great memorys here,hope the water quility can be improved in this vary speical placr Reb!

[@kole6146]

Some of the best bass fishing in the world. Swim bait mania.

[@raywright4799]

The oldest lake in North America is Clear Lake

[@tricannabis]

I lived in clearlake/lake county area for 18 years till the fires and smoke was too much....one day while at the doctors office I overheard two young men talking about how they had been paid to remove shopping carts from the lake and both were there at the doctors because the day after being in the lake they both developed liver failure, so I would definitely not swim or eat any fish from that lake.

[@Eycatsz]

I went last September and wondered why there was nobody on or in the lake.

[@robnbagg8406]

I did not see part one and can’t find it

[@xc_4x4]

Sorry guys but I’m one of those people. Rented a lake house there last weekend and I wasn’t impressed. The town of Lakeport was nice but super small. Lake was green so I didn’t wanna swim in it. The area has potential for sure but it wasn’t my thing. The food at parks place was amazing tho 😋

[@Barley150]

What is the condition of the lake now -- 2024?

[@GrowingLittleCountryhomestead]

Oh man I thought you got pigs for a second. Is the wild pigs much of a problem in your area.. the bear is a little scary with having chickens 😳. Are you doing a electric fence ?

[@grandpaslakehouse-homestea6113]

Yes I am going to do electric fence around the chickens but it is super rare to see the bears out here. We are on a peninsula on the lake so hopefully he finds his way back to the main forest. They were not wild pigs just escaped from a neighbors. I wish they were ours but our property is way too small for pigs

[@GrowingLittleCountryhomestead]

@@grandpaslakehouse-homestea6113 oh wow those weren’t wild pigs but looks like one day they might become wild pigs 😂

[@robnbagg8406]

So the point and the solution is ????? WHAT

[@KevinJackson1986]

Wow 1986? The year i was born lol

[@hotttt28]

Clear lake hasn't been clear for over a 100 years . One big sewer !

[@RandomExitsJT]

Doesn't clearlake sit on a volcanic cauldron?

[@duanestevens9789]

I'm in kelseyville! Opposite of you!

[@grandpaslakehouse-homestea6113]

I worked over there for a wile. It is a very nice area. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@ladesigner8764]

Is there an affordable lake community in the state of California that is actually clean and not full of proud boy Trumpers? I grew up on Midwest lakes, gorgeous compared to many lakes in Cali.

[@marincountyarms3311]

Stay in your LA hellhole

[@matthewpoole9240]

Go back then

[@brucepoole8552]

Maga militants seem to like the more secluded parts of america

[@steveemail5918]

Been there. There is absolutely nothing clear about that lake. Not to mention the meth problem.

[@Allium_369]

Pge heated the lake up with its tunnels and ruined the lake

[@dahookmob]

Lake Amador is worse

[@johnemanolis]

Thinking of moving to the Clear Lake area. What advice would you give someone looking to move there ?

[@larrymasters5425]

Due diligence ! Learn the area , spend time there. Drive around , it is heaven and hell. Know this ahead of time.

[@kdog7454]

police around the area are extremely corrupt