[UPDATE 9:05 a.m.: Trailer Loaded w/50-60 tons of solid biomass containing nitrogen and phosphorus]Traffic Slow on Hwy 20 after Big Rig Loses Trailer into Clear Lake
Stock photo by Oliver Cory
A little after 5:00 a.m., way before most folks were sipping their first cup of coffee, a tractor-trailer combination parted ways on Hwy 20 near Clearlake Oaks. The big rig kept traveling but the trailer took a swim. Traffic is moving slowly through the area.
According to the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page, the tractor-trailer, in an act of defiance or simply miscommunication, separated into two distinct entities. The trailer, apparently tired of a life on the road, unhooked itself from the tractor and took a dive into the inviting waters of Clear Lake. The front half, on the other hand, opted for a different path, it’s driver perhaps unaware of the parting of the ways.
The trailer ended up 30 feet down the embankment, enjoying a refreshing dip in Clear Lake.
Thankfully, the CHP is reporting that there were no injuries in this incident. The only casualties appear to be the driver’s pride and a few startled fish who were just trying to enjoy their morning swim.
A heavy-duty tow truck was dispatched and will likely have to do some impressive maneuvers to coax the trailer back onto dry land.
Please remember that information gathered from initial reports is subject to revision as more facts become available.
UPDATE 8:25 a.m.: According to Caltrans, “Hwy 20 has One Way Traffic Control from…Hillside Ln to Foothill Blvd…The estimated time of clearing is unknown.”
UPDATE 9:05 a.m.: According to a spill report on the Governor’s Office Emergency Services Hazardous Materials Spill Report,
Reporting party states that a box trailer loaded with 50-60 tons of solid biomass containing nitrogen and phosphorus has fallen off a large truck and entered Clear Lake. The trailer is currently overturned, raising concerns of a potential substance release. The responsible party will be responsible for the cleanup. There’s a possibility of impact on wildlife. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is actively investigating the incident and will provide further updates. No fires have been reported, and there are no road closures at this time.
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Could be useful for recovering the errant trailer. Grandpa left me a special whale fishing rod. Huge thing with a gas powered winch.
Used to catch whales off the coast… had a big bait and hook. Normal whales they used an oxen carcass… for vegetarian whales… they used a hay bale as bait.
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(Only kidding.)
Love the reporting of this story!
Made me laugh!
Great to hear nobody was hurt in this accident just a few frightened fish!
Thanks for the morning laugh, well done! Clever trailer to slip away from an oblivious driver ?
Yeah, but did he really lose it?
It’s the Cleanest thing in Clearlake
Hope “Biomass” does not react with Mercury, or Sulphur…
This is why the rigs need to be routed on the 53 to the 29, and then back to the 20…
Cost $40,000,000/mile, but heck, it’s only money…
(POOP)
Not the best lake to take a swim in. That trailer will need a good steam cleaning after being pulled out.
Disney Productions is saying Reporter Kemp’s contract is in the mail.
I certainly hope not! We can’t afford to lose her!
Ew. “Biomass” covers a lot of categories of material. Hopefully it can be recovered because 50-60 tons is a lot of nutrient into the warm shallow waters of Clearlake. Algae bloom, anyone?
Fertilizer
Eventually!
Solids. Poop.
Uh, yeah.
Based on recent bizarre and unprofessional happenings I’m just gonna say- it probably involved somebody doing dabs…
Thank you, “Onlooker,” for your post. As a resident of Lake County, I am also concerned about all that biomass possibly leaking into the lake. Why hasn’t this possibility been considered? And re other comments about the cleanliness of the lake: Yes, Clear Lake gets pretty yucky in the summer until cold nights quell the algae growth. To begin with, it has always been a “eutropic” lake; that is, one that supports a lot of life forms within its waters, including many varieties of algae that benefit those life forms. Add to that, unfortunately, the natural toxic substances in the considerable sediment run-off from volcanic hills and then, run-off from agriculture and mercury mining (no more mercury mining around the lake, but it turns out to be — so far — impossible to remove the toxins already released), and add to that increasingly hot summers and dry winters (yes, climate change again!) — well,, it’s only gonna get worse. On the good side, I’m glad that trailer jumped into funky Clear Lake and not 25 miles sooner, into the truly clear waters of spring-fed Blue Lakes.
Not to mention there is an assortment of schwanky and diverse creatures living all around the shoreline some of which smell worse than algae bloom all year round it will be hard to sort the bio masses for contamination appraisal and removal cd be challenging
Would have to say that it is 50 to 60 thousand “pounds” not tons. Unless he was wayyy overloaded
Certainly during a stressful incident, officials can (and do) get things wrong. However, at this point, the Hazardous spill website is still reporting tons not pounds. See screenshot:
Being an old crusty truck driver 80,000lbs= 40 tons which is a legal load with a standard 18 wheel semi. 50-60 tons would be a substantial overload. You would be Red tagged and not allowed to move until load has been appropriately adjusted. One heck of an overload ticket and fine.
FYI, The maximum “Gross Vehicle Weight in California is. – 80,000 lbs” Or 20,000 lbs per axle. Will be increased to 88,000 lbs to reduce dock congestion.
Not to worry, the officer will get paid the same…
I thought vehicles carrying Bio material were not allowed on 20 by the lake, or are the signs just there for the hell of it?
Not necessarily. it depends what category and how its placard.
50-60 TONS? That doesn’t sound right. 50-60 thousand pounds?
See above for a screenshot from the website.
50 to 60 tons…this was WAAAAY overloaded. Legal on CA highways is 40 tons i believe. Think that by special permit you can go up to 88,000 pounds. I could be wrong though. 100,000to 120,000 sounds like a stretch. Maybe the more it weighs, the more the State charges for monitoring the cleanup?
Or…maybe those brilliant monkeys at the O.E.M. think that a thousand pounds is a ton.
“That’s a lotta shit”
Biomass or fertilizer?
Pounds or tons?
Puns or towns?
Nice or Niece?
Is there any way to get the straightaway poop on this Unclear Lake?
At first I was thinking it was in the Blue Lakes and that would have been terrible. Not like any pollution is not terrible but Clearlake already has a lot of issues.
Biomass? Was it a load of alfalfa bales, wood chips, mulch?
Probably cow poop.
Right. Biomass means plants. But, if we just cut n paste the g’ment press release and never actually research anything, it gets many more clicks.
Aha, This is the commenter saying, “why don’t people who do something, do more, while I just complain that not enough is being done.”
If you want more, use Google. I have had very little sleep, I haven’t finished payroll which was due yesterday, and I am kind of over people who want to tell me how to do my job in which I cover three counties pretty seriously and several others a bit. I sell ads, do a lot of my own bookkeeping, clean the toilet, answer the phones, and try to be patient with commenters who don’t pay a cent but want me to do more with less.
How many other news sources had this much info? I don’t think anyone did.
It’s pretty creative writing, and fun to read. You might try more sleep deprivation. 😉
Sounds like a Republican…lol! ?
congrats Kym, keep up the good work, I appreciate your site way more than the sanitizing over at LoCo
Human. Actually you might push out 60,000 lbs all by yourself by the time you’re done. If you’re eating good!
Think of the HUMANITY! Chico alone has the population of Humboldt County.
Solids.
What do you think we do with all that dooque? Probably headn to a vineyard.
Say my name.
The 60 tons statement is obviously a gross over statement made by Sacramento politicians who have NO concept of what is real but are looking for effect. But they write it, release it to the media and people believe it. What the media prints is the truth….. if you dispute it you’re a conspiracy wackjob. OK, next story.
This is not a press release. It is where the immediate reports of those on the scene or relaying the information of those on the scene is taken down. Like many first reports from the scene, it may be wrong.
If I had unlimited time and unlimited resources or if it was a little closer to my central readership or even if I just had a little more sleep and spent a little less time justifying myself to people who will never be satisfied that I’ve done enough, I’d try and follow through on this. But honestly, I’ve got way too much to do and it’s not going to happen. Try calling the CHP in that area and see if they have the answers you would like.
Pro-tip always good idea to check them bolts that hold the fifth wheel assembly to the frame mounts once in awhile, once those little guys wiggle loose its only a matter of time before they sheer, happy trails.
As a retired O/O having owned 4 tractors hauling custom moving-van semi-trailers I’d be interested in knowing the facts involved in the separation.
Obviously, rigs should not be driven near lakes. Or anywhere else.
Our highways are a joke, and not the funny kind…
Build some roads, or make the rigs go up the 5 to the 299…
Lake County has only 2.7 miles of modern highway, and they cost $87,000,000.
Park your rig, write the Governor.
wow! Think about the implications of your post if they were factual, LOL
It would be an unusual year if a couple of rigs didn’t end up in the lake…
Honestly, if the operators were better drivers, and if equipment was required to be maintained to a standard, like for airplanes, the whole thing would be safer…
In Lake County, everyone speeds, tailgating is a normal driving technique, and there is abundant wildlife and drunk drivers too!
What could go wrong?