CoastWatch Mile 171

Visitor

Who We Are

Newsletters

Coastal Goods

Climate Cache

Tour of the Miles

CoastWatch Stories

Sightings

Watchful Eyes

CoastWatcher's Bookshelf

Coastwatcher's Knapsack

Filing a Mile Report:

Getting Started Online

Online Mile Report

Online Mile Dispatch

Paper Report form

Observation Checklist

Mile Reports Browser

Summaries by County

OPRD Planning Maps

Stranded Marine Mammal

CoastWatch counties:

Clatsop

Tillamook

Lincoln

Lane

Quarterlies

Douglas

Quarterlies

Coos

Quarterlies

Curry

Topics:

Estuaries

Navy Training

Port of Newport

SOLV Cleanup

Tsunami Debris

Gravel Mining Guide

The Wide, Wide Sea

Marine Reserves

Position: Marine Reserves

Position: Ocean Energy

CoastWatch Mile 171

County	Lane
Description	Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
Boundaries	N 44° 2.056', W 124° 8.133' to N 44° 1.294', W 124° 8.303'
Google Maps	Nearby Roads, Directions to/from, Google photos, Satellite image, Terrain overlay
OPRD Map	Sutton Creek to Siuslaw R, to Siltcoos R (1)
Vehicles	• Motor vehicle travel is prohibited from the Lincoln County-Lane County line (44° 16.5774', Mile 190), southerly to the Siuslaw River (44° 00.9720', Mile 170).
Weather	Current Weather Conditions at nearby stations (may take a minute or two on a dialup connection)
Tides	The NOAA Tide Predictions site may be found here. Click on the station nearest to your location to see predicted tides in graphical and tabular formats.
Photo	Large stump 1/17/08 Large wood debris washed ashore recently oldMGguy

67 REPORTS FOR MILE 171:

kathrynl
Apr 25, 2013 6:30 AM

12 foot long solid wood board -- might be a top to a structure? no visible nails -- approximately 1/3 mile down the beach from Driftwood Shores. Very little litter on beach; however, plenty of dog poop on drift line and in two bags in parking lot. MORE

oldMGguy
Feb 26, 2013 3:00 PM

Very clean wet sand beach today - none of the usual bits and pieces of styrofoam that have been common lately. MORE

Dune daffodils
Description:	Another "invasive" plant growing in the beach foredune at the Siuslaw River North Jetty area. Most likely washed downriver after a flood event years ago. They seem to like the sand, salt, and windy environment!
Location:	Siuslaw River North Jetty, east of Coast Guard tower.

oldMGguy
Feb 8, 2013 5:00 PM

Clear, cold and windy afternoon stroll on Heceta Beach. Found several "Salp" tunicates washed ashore. All were 4-5 inches long. MORE

Salp on Heceta Beach
Description:	Salp tunicate
Location:	Mile 171

oldMGguy
Feb 5, 2013 3:00 PM

A mature bald eagle was (unsuccessfully) fishing over the Siuslaw River at the north jetty. Several swoops and grabs, but no fish. One freshly washed up alcid at the high water line. The beak closely resembled the tufted puffin's beak structure, although pale tan-ish in color. The body was all black with a white belly, so I'm going with the deceased critter being a Rhinoceros Auklet. Does anyone know what immature Tufted Puffins look like (white bellies)? Salps have been recently reported washing up on Heceta Beach, but none were observed today. MORE

oldMGguy
Jan 31, 2013 4:30 PM

Nice sunny afternoon for a walk on the beach! Single strands and small balls of bull kelp washed up along the entire mile. Almost no litter of any kind observed. Occasional battered chunks of moon jellies at the high tide line. MORE

cheshire
Nov 16, 2012 8:00 AM

There is a continuing problem with dog owners on this beach (from the North Jetty to just north of Driftwood Shores) letting their pets off leash. Many of these dogs are large and out of control. When I run on this beach for exercise, I am often chased--sometimes as much as three times during the course of one run. There are also pet owners who are not picking up pet waste, or worse, bagging pet waste and leaving the plastic bags either on the beach or in the parking lots.

There are three main points of entry to this beach:

1. Paid county parking north of Driftwood Shores: has good signage about leash laws/fines.
2. Free parking lot south of Driftwood Shoes: no dog-related signage at all.
3. North Jetty parking lot: has TINY "leashes required" sign that is easy to miss.

My understanding is that county law requires leashes of six feet or less and that the fine for violators is $141 per dog. I need to be in touch with the county about enforcement and better signage as the situation is getting ridiculous. MORE

kathrynl
Sep 22, 2012 10:00 AM

Semi-annual beach clean up in process while large amount of dogs and people enjoying a glorious coastal day. MORE

kathrynl
Aug 13, 2012 8:30 AM

Huge sand dunes have drifted over North Jetty and sand has shifted along high tide line due to high summer wind. Small boat fender, plastic bottles and deck sponge picked up off beach. Large pieces of wood and logs on beach. Too windy and cold to complete walk! MORE

cheshire
Jun 10, 2012 7:00 PM

Lots of driftwood and flood debris remains on this beach after winter storms. Many people have built makeshift forts out of this wood, especially just north of the the North Jetty. While creative and fun, these also seem to be an invitation for people to camp out, stay a while and build illegal fires on the beach. Saw a several people camped in one of the larger forts (well above the high water line)with an active driftwood fire going this evening. There is a lot of burned wood on this beach from previous fires. These structures could also collapse while people are in them--just a dangerous situation. MORE

Campers on Beach with Fire
Date:	Jun 10, 2012 7:20 PM

Dunes and Distant Kite

cheshire
Jun 3, 2012 7:00 PM

Walked miles 171-172. Much less garbage than earlier this week, but lots of evidence of driftwood fire rings in front of Driftwood Shores and in the half mile north of the hotel. Picked up one bag of garbage and two large foam floats. MORE

cheshire
May 28, 2012 6:00 PM

I frequently walk this beach for exercise, and I don't usually see this much debris. Lots of water bottles, small pieces of foam, large blocks of yellow foam with plywood backing (looks like Japanese home insultation, but could be flood debris) and large white foam floats of a type never seen before on this beach. No conclusive evidence that this is Japanese tsunami debris, but it certainly could be. Whatever is causing this litter, the volume is steadily increasing. Please bring bags when you walk the beach this summer--there is a lot of garbage to pick up. MORE

kathrynl
May 11, 2012 9:15 AM

Large amount of driftwood left from winter storms near jetty, otherwise clean beach. Empty water bottle on jetty, otherwise no trash to be found. MORE

oldMGguy
Mar 13, 2012 3:00 PM

Another wave of river-sourced flood debris (trees, branches, brush, grass, etc) recently washed ashore north of the North Siuslaw River Jetty. Very little bird activity other than the usual crows and gulls. About a dozen Surf Scoters were feeding on the river just inside the bar. A juvenile deceased beaver had just washed ashore about mid-point on Mile 171. About 24" from nose to tail. Most likely got washed down the river. Two fairly new concrete dock floats (8'x4'x3') were deposited in the river estuary bay just east of the scuba diver platform on the North Jetty Road. The Port of Siuslaw office was contacted, and they were going to see if they recognized the floats. And no, they weren't humming, and aliens weren't trying to toss them into mysterious white pickup trucks, while the black helicopters circled overhead ... MORE

oldMGguy
Jun 11, 2011 2:00 PM

The shallow waters of the beach wave run-back are literally a living soup of tiny fish fry, larvae, and amphipods. What looks like small pale grains of rice in the shallow receding wave is a gazillion little critters scurrying around, with the occasional mole crab chasing after the critters. All quickly re-bury themselves in the sand as the last of the water runs out. It's amazing how fast the mole crabs are! On Saturday, a basketball court-sized mass of small, thin fish (sand lance?) was literally turning the near-shore water and waves black, about a 1/4 mile north of the Siuslaw River North Jetty. A mass feeding frenzy was underway, with hundreds of gulls, lesser terns, brown pelicans, and cormorants plunging into the surf. A group of 20-30 sea lions were rapidly swimming about in the shallow water feeding on the mass. Another group of 10-20 sea lions (California?) were rafting just beyond the breakers, holding their flippers in the air and noisily arfing away. We usually see harbor seals feeding in this section of Mile 171, sea lions are rare. MORE

oldMGguy
Nov 16, 2010 1:00 PM

Dead-critters-on-the-beach day today at Heceta Beach, Mile 171. Two deceased male California sea lions, with their distinctive domed foreheads, on the beach - one near the Siuslaw River North Jetty, the other about mid-point on Mile 171 (previously reported). Two barely alive Northern Fulmars freshly beached at the north end of the mile, with another 7 Fulmar carcasses spread southward along the mile, along with two Common Murre carcasses. Numerous Cat's Eye comb jellies littered the high tide zone. One URK - a large dog-sized collection of skin, bones, and tan fur with brown-black spots, near the North Jetty. Lots of surf grass on the beach today, along with several large balls of bull kelp, and numerous single strands of bull kelp scattered along the mile. MORE

Freshly beached Northern Fulmar
Location:	North end of Mile 171

Common Murre
Location:	Mid-point Mile 171
Date:	Nov 16, 2010 12:00 AM

Cat's Eye comb jelly
Location:	High tide line along Mile 171

oldMGguy
Nov 13, 2010 2:00 PM

Only one fresh Northern Fulmar carcass observed today. Lots of Cat's Eye comb jellies along the mile, with a few Sea Nettle jellies mixed in. A very dead sea lion (Steller female ??) has just washed ashore about half way on Mile 171. The carcass looks like it's been floating at sea for awhile. Lots of migrating shorebirds and waterfowl feeding in the Siuslaw River entrance area. MORE

oldMGguy
Oct 28, 2010 1:00 PM

One dead sun fish, about 12" long, washed up near the midsection of Mile 171. Two large clusters of thousands of Ochre Sea Stars also washed up - one grouping about a 1/4 mile north of the Siuslaw River North Jetty, the other large cluster just SW of the Driftwood Shores hotel complex. Many brown pelicans observed migrating southbound. MORE

Sun fish
Description:	12" long sun fish washed up about mid-section of Mile 171. Top and bottom fins gone.

Ochre Sea Stars - 1000's of them washed up

kathrynl
Sep 22, 2010 3:30 PM

Jetty has been sanded over by storms and is inaccessable to vehicles. Large trees are also already across the jetty. Very few birds on beach but beach was "clean" of debris today. MORE

kathrynl
Jun 15, 2010 3:30 PM

Beach very clean at high tide. Concentration of paper and plastic trash near southern side of North Jetty parking area. Winter storms have moved sand over much of Jetty prohibiting vehicles access to Jetty. Hooray! MORE

oldMGguy
May 5, 2010 7:00 PM

A very pleasent evening on Heceta Beach. Observed one out-of-control dog chasing feeding sanderlings up the beach for a considerable distance. Lots of migrating shorebirds heading north. Brown pelicans were plunge-feeding off-shore, with a pair of lesser terns cruising the near surf. Common loons, western grebes, and cormorants were feeding in the Siuslaw River, and a mixed group of sanderlings, semi-palmated plovers, dunlins, and dowitchers were feeding on the springtail bugs on the river estuary shoreline. A dead juvenile sea lion (about 6' long) has washed ashore about 1/3 mile north of the Siuslaw river North Jetty. No obvious injuries, but the scavengers have already removed a lot of soft tissue. MORE

Heceta Beach looking north to the Heceta Head Lighthouse

Heceta Beach looking north to the Heceta Head Lighthouse
Location:	mid-point Mile 171

Expired yearling sea lion
Location:	1/3 mile north of the Siuslaw River North Jetty

oldMGguy
Apr 7, 2010 5:00 PM

Five turkey vultures were busy feasting on a fairly fresh dead Steller sea lion (female?) 1/3 mile south of the Driftwood Shores hotel complex well up in the dry sand area of the upper beach. Osprey and brown pelicans were feeding offshore, with western grebes and cormorants feeding in the Siuslaw River outlet. The near shore surf was heavily colored brown with attendant greenish-brown sea foam - must be a fresh algae bloom going on. The discoloration formed a narrow parallel band at the shallow breaking surf area of the beach, with some staining on the wet sand regions. There has been significantly more upper beach sand removed along the south end of Mile 171, forming benches and exposing old driftwood logs, then I have observed over the past 3 years. MORE

kathrynl
Mar 7, 2010 2:00 PM

Bottle caps and beer cans near Driftwood Shores, some even gathered together as from a recent "beer party". Removed one bag of garbage from Driftwood Shores area which continues to be strewn with litter, dog feces and plastics. Red-orange residue visible from drainage area just south of resort. MORE

oldMGguy
Dec 23, 2009 3:00 PM

A beautiful winter day on Mile 171. Very clean beach, with harbor seals, sanderlings, and a few surf scoters feeding in and near the surf. One whale spout observed way off-shore. A lot of reddish-brown "Sea Nettle" jellyfish have washed ashore, along with a really dead Steller sea lion, located just SW of the Driftwood Shores complex MORE

Expired Steller Sea Lion, about 6' long.

Expired Steller Sea Lion, about 6' long.
Description:	Ewww - that's going to be smelly! The prevailing winter breezes will move the aroma straight to the buildings in the background.
Location:	100 yards SW of the Driftwood Shores complex, high tide line

"Sea Nettle" jelly

Small Perennial Kelp, not commonly seen on Heceta Beach

Small Perennial Kelp, not commonly seen on Heceta Beach
Description:	Macrocystis integrifolia

kathrynl
Dec 21, 2009 2:10 PM

Picked up litter. Driftwood strewn up onto jetty and northward along beach from previous storms. Small two foot "sink hole" near entrance to jetty that has been filled with debris and yellow hazard tape. MORE

oldMGguy
Nov 10, 2009 2:30 PM

Recent high tides and wind have re-arranged the driftwood log collection on the beach. Lots of common loons, cormorants, and brown pelicans flying and/or feeding near the North Jetty. The beach high water line is coated with a gazillion 1/4-1/2" tiny pinkish egg casings. Anyone know what they are? A few gulls were leisurely feeding on the eggs, but most birds seemed to ignore them. MORE

Egg casings on Heceta Beach. Anyone know what they are?

Egg casings on Heceta Beach. Anyone know what they are?
Description:	Gazillions of these egg casings at the high water line all along Mile 171. Anyone know what they are?
Location:	Mile 171, high water line.

Friend of Strawberry
Sep 22, 2009 7:30 AM

I counted 40 dead beached Humboldt Squid on the beach from the Florence North Jetty to Driftwood Shores Resort. Met a man who counted 30 from Driftwood Shores Resort to Sutton Creek. This is about 3 miles. They had come ashore in the early morning with the high tide. Birds were feasting. MORE

Squid on Florence beach

Squid on Florence Beach #2

Squid on Florence Beach #3

Squid on Florence Beach #4

Squid on Florence Beach #5

kathrynl
Sep 19, 2009 8:00 AM

Beach was relatively "clean" this morning. Exposed tidal sand near Driftwood Shores has orange algae and appears oily. MORE

oldMGguy
Aug 30, 2009 5:30 PM

Heavy concentration of olive-green sea foam and plankton die-off on the beach and in the surf. Observed my first "Lions' Mane" (aka Sea Blubber) jelly on the beach this year - very unusual for Heceta Beach. Lots of Cat's Eye comb jellies, and a smattering of Sea Nettle and Moon jellies mixed in. The very dead Stellar Sea Lion is halfway between the Siuslaw River North Jetty and the Driftwood Shores complex to the north, well up on the beach in the dry sand area. Wondering if this is the same critter reported ashore on Mile 172 earlier this month. As far as living mammels observed, a mother-calf pair of harbor porpoise, one harbor seal were feeding in the Siuslaw River adjacent to the North Jetty, and 16 kite-surfers were out having fun in the outer surf area south of the Siuslaw River South Jetty. MORE

kathrynl
Jun 12, 2009 7:30 AM

Sand has blown over North Jetty almost preventing vehicle access. Dog poop on jetty in plastic bag (thank you!). Beach relatively clean except for dead Sea Lion near Driftwood Shores resort. MORE

oldMGguy
Jun 6, 2009 4:00 PM

Another pleasent walk on the beach today. The sand is definitely moving on-shore, with noticable accumulations above the high tide line. An outer sand bar, and fairly deep inner channel has formed this summer. The crows were actively digging out mole (sand) crabs along the water's edge. Amazing how they can quickly spot one, although I did manage to dig one out myself. SUMMARY MORE

MThrossel
Apr 18, 2009 10:45 AM
[NO EMAIL]

Wet damp sand on beach (that is 400 ft. from 100 ft. bluff) Waves (1 feet high on flat sandy bottom) rolled in with about 12 waves at any one time. Drift line 4 inches wide, had green algae and foam. No plant life growing, no seaweed on sand also no kelp. MORE

Heceta Beach
Description:	Parking Lot and trail to beach. Driftwood Shores Resort at left, storm drain center middle below distant rectangular pillar; among logs. Residence at right atop bluff. Camera pointed east.
Location:	Heceta Beach at Driftwood Shores Resort

Heceta Beach, Florence, OR.
Description:	Parking lot south of Driftwood Shores Resort, with trail to beach. Storm drain water enters beach in a wide swath, under stacked logs. Bluff at right shows residence chimney. Camera pointer east.
Location:	Heceta Beach at Driftwood Shores Resort

Heceta Beach, Florence, OR.
Description:	Sand, Cascade Range, Residences, Mist, Driftwood Shores Resort. Ocean tide lines lower right. Camera pointed northeast.
Location:	Heceta Beach

Heceta Beach
Description:	Sand, Residences, Driftwood Shores Resort and more Residences. Bicycle tracks. Very few shells. Camera pointed northeast.
Location:	Heceta Beach at Driftwood Shores Resort

Heceta Beach
Description:	Pacific Ocean, Seagulls, Pedestrians and storm water run off. Camera pointed west.
Location:	Heceta Beach at Driftwood Shores Resort

Heceta Beach
Description:	Heceta Head in the mist; Coastal Mountains Range, Pedestrians, sand. Residences and Driftwood Shores Resort. Ocean tide line lower right area. Camera pointed north.
Location:	Heceta Beach at Driftwood Shores Resort

Heceta Beach
Description:	Residences end at right bluff area. Bluff flattens out at that point. Beach is starting to rise into dune type formation. Camera pointed southeast.
Location:	Heceta Beach at Driftwood Shores Resort

oldMGguy
Mar 31, 2009 3:00 PM

A quiet afternoon on Heceta Beach today. Several large flocks (50+) of gulls heading north, one whale spout observed off-shore. An unusual large number of ochre sea stars were washed up today - an uncommon sight on this beach. Saw my first Brant waterfowl today, feeding in the Siuslaw River jetty area. MORE

Ochre Sea Star
Description:	Ochre sea star, an unusual sight on heceta Beach

Chiton
Description:	An unfortunate mossy chiton attached to a piece of kelp and barnacles washed off the Siuslaw jetty rocks during the latest storm

oldMGguy
Mar 10, 2009 2:00 PM

The beach was covered with a lot of river-sourced wood debris from recent rain events. A large log covered with pelagic goose barnacles apparently arrived with the last high tide. All of the dead birds observed today appeared to be gulls. The dead fur-bearing critter (juvenile sea lion?)appears to have been chomped at both ends by sharks, as the head and rear flippers were missing. MORE

Pelagic Goose Barnacles
Description:	Dying Pelagic Goose Barnacles on a freshly washed-up log
Location:	North end of Mile 171, Heceta Beach

Bull kelp tangle and sea foam
Location:	South end of Mile 171, Heceta Beach

Spring flower in the beach grass
Description:	Another invasive species along with the invasive European Beach Grass. At least the new one is cute!
Location:	Beach hummocks near the North Jetty parking lot, Siuslaw River area.

oldMGguy
Feb 5, 2009 2:30 PM

A tip of the hat to CoastWatchers Lloyd Maxfield and Jean Caroline for their work in publicizing pollution on the beach near the Driftwood Shores complex. They took a sample of the drainage in for testing, and the result posted a very high fecal coliform bacteria count, well in excess of public beach health standards. There have been two recent articles about the beach contamination in the Florence-based bi-weekly newspaper, the "Siuslaw News", and an in-depth article in the Eugene "Register-Guard" newspaper. The Florence city council this week identified monitoring the possibility of septic contamination of the Heceta Beach area aquifer as a major priority for 2009. The city will be installing several dozen monitoring wells this year. According to a home contractor friend of ours, the local building professionals are aware the area between Heceta Beach and Hwy 101 has probably reached its capacity to absorb septic tank system discharge without contaminating the underlying aquifer. Again, thanks to CoastWatch for bringing this to the public's attention. Well done, guys! MORE

oldMGguy
Dec 18, 2008 1:30 PM

Continuous stream of 100's of gulls, with many brown pelicans mixed in, flying south along the surf line. Several large flocks of sanderlings and semipalmated plovers working their way south while feeding. The mile had a lot of individual bull kelp strands washed up, along with several very large bull kelp tangles. The multi-year collection of shells is starting to emerge as the sand migrates off-shore. Lots of new razor clam shells showing up. An unusual buoy of some sort has just washed ashore about 100 yards north of the Siuslaw River North Jetty. It is a roughly 18" by 36" cylindical shape, with a central 6" vertical open tube. No markings, but it is definitely not a crab pot or navigational buoy. Recent tire tracks by the buoy indicate the State Parks beach ranger has already checked out the new arrival. MORE

oldMGguy
Dec 2, 2008 1:30 PM

Really quiet afternoon on Heceta Beach today for a change. Several large balls of bull kelp along the mile, along with the occasional palm kelp, small perennial kelp, surf grass, and individual bull kelp stalks. Few birds observed today, along with just a few Sea Nettle (reddish) jellies washed up. A deceased small harbor seal pup apparently justed washed in on this tide, as there was no scavanger damage so far. No external sign of injury, other than being very thin. The 36" county drainpipe just south of the Driftwood Shores complex was venting a noticable raw sewage aroma. See the recent comments by the Webmaster and Oyster concerning ongoing issues of sewage leaking onto Heceta Beach at this location. MORE

Bull kelp tangle on Heceta Beach
Description:	One of several large tangle of Bull Kelp washed up on Heceta Beach recently
Location:	South end of Mile 171

Palm Kelp
Description:	Palm Kelp
Location:	Mile 171

Small Perennial Kelp
Description:	Small Perennial Kelp - not often seen on Heceta Beach
Location:	Mile 171

Wayward Crab Pot
Description:	Lost crab pot dug out and rolled up the beach by tourists
Location:	South end, Mile 171

Dead Harbor Seal Pup
Description:	Deceased harbor seal pup
Location:	South end, Mile 171

Sea Nettle Jelly
Description:	Sea Nettle Jelly
Location:	mid-section of Mile 171

oldMGguy
Nov 22, 2008 10:00 AM

Another beautiful day on the Oregon Coast! Lots of people out walking or playing on Mile 171 this morning. Very few birds observed today, mostly the occasional crow and gull. Just a few brown pelicans flying the outer surf line. One harbor seal observed feeding in the near-shore surf. About 2 dozen Sea Nettle jellies (or pieces thereof) washed up at the high tide line. 3 very large (+/- 18" diameter bell) moon jellies also washed up along Mile 171. These are the largest Moon Jelly specimens I've seen on this beach. The beach slope has noticeably increased since last week, particularily near the Siuslaw River North Jetty. The annual off-shore sand movement must be underway. MORE

oldMGguy
Nov 12, 2008 11:00 AM

Due to the strong wind from the south, a lot of sand was blowing north up the beach today. The huge flock of gulls seen the other day were gone, replaced with several sizable flocks of sanderlings, a dozen surf scoters, and the occasional line of brown pelicans flying off-shore. Several large balls of bull kelp have washed ashore. The entire mile has a lot of surf grass, palm kelp, and some rock kelp at the high tide line. The northern third of Mile 171 and the southern section of Mile 172 is covered with a huge concentration of mangled and surf-torn Sea Nettle jellies, with some Moon and Sea Blubber (Lion's Mane) jellies mixed in. It's almost impossible to walk the high tide line without stepping on bits and pieces of jelly! MORE

oldMGguy
Nov 2, 2008 5:00 PM

Huge (1000's) concentration of gulls resting in the wet sand south of the Driftwood Shores complex. Major accumulation of palm kelp along the entire mile in the wrack line. Very little human-sourced trash and debris considering the popularity of this beach. MORE

JKLenox
Sep 13, 2008 7:30 AM

North Jetty has drifted sand, almost preventing beach access without hiking over it! Nice to see shore birds back on a pristine beach. MORE

oldMGguy
Aug 29, 2008 11:00 AM

Lots of beach scum lines from the remains of the phytoplankton upwelling blooms washed up on the beach today. If the sun ever burns thru the fog, this beach will smell like a barnyard just like last summer! Scattered moon jellies (clear 4-12" diameter) washed up along this mile today. Possible 2 snowy plovers feeding in the surf. Big flock of brown pelicans feeding in the Siuslaw river entrance, while being chased by a larger horde of juvenile gulls, and a few harbor seals, too. MORE

oldMGguy
Aug 11, 2008 9:00 AM

One of those "Glad-to-be-alive-and-walking-on-a-Oregon-beach" mornings! Clear sky, calm wind, no obnoxious dogs. The Army Corp of Engineers has their river dredge out cleaning out the Siuslaw River entrance, but no noticable water discoloration or debris on the beach. Last summer, the Heceta Beach shoreline was ruler-straight from the North jetty up to Driftwood Shores. This summer, it has formed a series of gentle scalloped bays north of the jetty. Very photogenic and eye-pleasing to look at. MORE

oldMGguy
Jul 5, 2008 2:00 PM

Biggest crowd I've seen on this beach. Literally hundred's of families, kids, dogs, surfers, joggers, walkers, and jetty fishermen out enjoying the beach on this overcast but almost wind-free day. The upper beach algae bloom from the failed Driftwood Shores complex septic system leach field is very noticable. Lots of people walking thru the stuff barefooted. Fortunately, the new sewer lines are being installed this summer. MORE

Lots of people on the beach today!
Location:	North end Mile 171 (Heceta Beach)

Algae bloom from leaking septic system
Description:	Failed septic leach field at Driftwood Shores has created an algae bloom on the upper beach. People were walking barefoot thru this stuff ...

Summer sand at old stump
Description:	This huge old stump arrived on Heceda Beach Jan 2008. Compare this view of summer sand deposits to the original January photo
Location:	Middle of Mile 171

Old stump Jan 2008 and much lower winter sand levels

Old stump Jan 2008 and much lower winter sand levels
Location:	Middle of Mile 171
Date:	Jan 17, 2008 12:00 AM

oldMGguy
Jun 23, 2008 5:00 PM

In addition to the unusually large number of dead crabs, the beach wrack line had a lot of shrimp back scales and body parts mixed in. The surf and near off-shore water had an unusual brown tint to it, with reduced water clarity. the water flowing out of the Siuslaw was clear. We did have a rain event Saturday night. MORE

oldMGguy
Jun 2, 2008 1:00 PM

Major increase of sand since last week. The bald eagle seemed quite unconcerned about tourists approaching somewhat for photos. The failing sewer system for the Driftwood Shores hotel complex has generated a noticable aromatic and visual algae bloom in the high beach area next to the buildings. The hotel has applied for annexation into the Florence municipal sewer district, and hopefully will be able to shut down the failed drain field by this fall, according to the local media. MORE

oldMGguy
May 25, 2008 8:30 AM

Lots of families out enjoying an early morning stroll along Mile 171 during a low tide. Nothing out of the ordinary other than a bad day for clear jellies. Two osprey (one with breakfast), and the usual gaggle of gulls and crows. One lone Canada goose flying in big circles at the South Jetty parking lot, honking away ... MORE

oldMGguy
May 7, 2008 6:00 AM

Recent northerly winds have begun the formation of the summer sand drift patterns near the North jetty. MORE

oldMGguy
Apr 10, 2008 5:00 PM

It is interesting to observe how this flat sandy beach continually changes texture and pattern in subtle ways every time we visit. As last reported, sand is on the increase, this time more noticable on the north end of Mile 171. Mile 171 is still very clean from human-sourced trash, thanks to last month's trash clean-up day. MORE

oldMGguy
Apr 4, 2008 11:00 AM

The sand is back! There is a dramatic increase in the sand distribution on the upper beach area, particularily in "The Lagoon" area just north of the Siuslaw River North Jetty. The mystery shell photo I posted on 3/18/08 has been identified. Lloyd Maxfield, our website administrator, says the mystery shell is a ... (I'm not making this up)... "Green False-Jingle", a relative of the oyster. MORE

oldMGguy
Mar 24, 2008 12:30 AM

Lots of folks, families, grandparents with toddlers out enjoying the beach today. A bad day for baby jellies, as a gazillion dime-sized clear jellies are washed up in the wrack line - all fresh and shiny. No birds observed other than gulls. The usual bunch of harbor seals were not in the surf today. A very heavy and extensive patch of sea foam was drifting up the Siuslaw River with the incoming tide. MORE

oldMGguy
Mar 18, 2008 3:00 PM

Lots of gulls, crows, one immature bald eagle flying north above the foredune. One unknown shellfish (see photos), isolated strands of bull kelp. Lots of sightseers out this afternoon on this always popular beach. Observed one immature bald eagle flying north along the foredune. Found a shell that I've never seen before on Heceta Beach (see photos). Does anyone know what it is (or was)? MORE

What is it?
Description:	Found on Heceta Beach, north of the Siuslaw River. Drop me an email if you know what it is!

What is it?
Date:	Mar 18, 2008 12:00 AM

oldMGguy
Mar 8, 2008 5:00 PM

I wish to extend a "Thank You!" to Phillip Johnson, CoastWatch Program Director, and his staff, for all the seminars recently set up for CoastWatch members' on-going education on ocean beach issues. I really encourage all CoastWatch members to attend any of these events if at all possible. The recent March 5, 2008 Coastal Dunes Workshop was focused on the impact of introduced non-native beach grass on native species. MORE

Heceta Beach Foredune, south end of Mile 171

Heceta Beach Foredune, south end of Mile 171
Description:	Beach grass-caused foredune at Heceta Beach, just north of the Siuslaw River North Jetty. Hummocks to the left, deflation plain to the right.

European (aka Holland) beach grass
Description:	European beach grass, with extensive root structure exposed

American Beach Grass
Description:	American Beach Grass was also widely planted in the early 1900's. It is the dominant beach grass specie north of Lincoln City to Astoria. The American version has wide blades (European beach grass in background)

Scotch (aka Scot's) Broom
Description:	this stuff was widely planted for dune stabilization, in co-location with Shore Pine. The theory was that the pine would eventually shade out the brush, killing it. Didn't work as planned ...

kathrynl
Mar 6, 2008 5:00 PM

The Driftwood Shores "creek" has moved further south and has cut a two-foot deep channel into the sand. Water and sand show signs of sewage, oily and orange stain. One water bottle near Driftwood Shores. Very clean beach and more driftwood up to North Jetty than I have seen in seven years. Only Gulls at the tide line, very little evidence of other birds. Plus 7 1/2' tide left shells far up on the beach. MORE

oldMGguy
Feb 20, 2008 4:00 PM

Just a few gulls observed today, no other bird species around. Nothing unusual on the beach today. With a minus tide, the remains of the bow of a wooden ship are exposed next to the Siuslaw River North Jetty, 50 yards east of the Coast Guard observation tower. I suspect it's the remains of the Wilhelmina, a small coastal steam freighter beached in 1911. Old photos show it on it's side in the surf next to the North Jetty. MORE

Nice afternoon on Heceta Beach, Mile 171

Nice afternoon on Heceta Beach, Mile 171
Description:	Nice afternoon on Heceta Beach, Mile 171 looking north from the Siuslaw River North Jetty

Wooden shipwreck, Siuslaw River North Jetty

Wooden shipwreck, Siuslaw River North Jetty
Description:	Wooden shipwreck remains next to the Siuslaw River North Jetty, 50 yards east of the Coast Guard observation tower. I suspect it's the Wilhelmina, a small coastal steam-powered freighter lost January 1911.

Florence Elk
Feb 14, 2008 12:00 AM

Talked to the engineer of the rip-rap project.The aim is to restore pitock clam habitat.The sand has been swept away to expose 55,000 year old tree trunks and the underlying packed mud. In North Jetty state park someone dumped a load of garbageover the bank of the road down into the park, (microwave and assorted garbage) not accessible unless there is traffic control on the road. Also down behind the coast guard tower, a chest freezer has washed up and it's too big for me to carry or drag out. I'ld roll it but the compressor is still in it and and might leak oil and freon. MORE

chest freezer
Description:	chest freezer
Location:	estuary behind north jetty coast guard tower

dump
Description:	trash dump beside road, north jetty state park

trash

north jetty state park I
Copyright:	shaun young

north jetty state park I I
Description:	looking up river from divers dock
Copyright:	shaun young

north jetty state park I I I
Copyright:	shaun young

oldMGguy
Feb 11, 2008 1:00 PM

Trash and litter day on the beach today. Observed the most human-sourced flotsom in the high tide line since I started walking this mile last summer. Pop cans, plastic water bottles, chip packages, bits and pieces of plastic, styrofoam, pieces of fish netting and boat lines, spread evenly along this mile. One elderly couples' small dog was repeatedly chasing a flock of sanderling, and not responsive to their earnest voice calls. I politely asked them to leash their dog if it couldn't be controlled, which they eventually did. MORE

oldMGguy
Jan 17, 2008 10:00 AM

Generally clean beach with lots of human/dog activity. Three surfers working the waves inside the Siuslaw River bar. One couple collecting firewood-sized driftwood (no shortage ...). A large excavator has finished restoring the foredune bulldozed away by a Heceta Beach homeowner last summer (see photos). MORE

New driftwood
Description:	Extensive collection of river-sourced flood trees, stumps, and debris from 2007-2008 rain storms.
Location:	South end of Mile 171, looking north

Large stump
Description:	Large wood debris washed ashore recently
Location:	middle of Mile 171

Bulldozed foredune, summer 2007
Description:	Bulldozed foredune summer 2007 by homeowner in Heceta Beach
Location:	Heceta Beach, north end of mile 171
Date:	Dec 13, 2007 12:00 AM

Restored foredune
Description:	Restored foredune, Heceta Beach
Location:	North end of Mile 171

oldMGguy
Jan 11, 2008 9:00 AM

The Coast Guard has reclaimed their wayward channel marker buoy, washed up on the beach last week. Continued accumulation of large tree trunks, stumps, and other river-sourced flood debris, mostly close to the Siuslaw River North Jetty. Recent high tides have re-arranged the multi-year beach log collection, and removed a lot of sand from the upper beach. Very little man-made flotsam observed. No sign of oil contamination, as per the January 8th CoastWatch alert ... MORE

oldMGguy
Dec 30, 2007 10:30 AM

Heavy collection of sea foam on beach. Overall, very clean beach with little observed man-made debris. Lots of seagulls in the area. One large 4'x3' buoy (with the number 4 on it) washed ashore just north of the Siuslaw River North Jetty. MORE

oldMGguy
Dec 20, 2007 1:30 PM

Very few birds today. A dozen gulls, 3 Sanderlings. Usual group of harbor seals not observed. Many large clumps/balls of bull kelp washed ashore, the majority just north of the Siuslaw River North Jetty area. Mostly single strands of bull kelp at north end of Mile 171. Continued accumulation of flood debris (stumps, logs, wood, branches, brush) at high tide line. Majority is just north of the Siuslaw River North Jetty. Many large balls of bull kelp washed ashore. MORE

JKLenox
Dec 15, 2007 9:00 AM

Small Piper like birds are back although in a smaller amount, only about one dozen in water line. The trail leading to the beach from this overlook to slowly but very surely sliding toward the beach and beginning to undercut the highway, some attention needs to be paid to this concern before it causes damage to highway 101 and resulting in the lose of access to the north. MORE

oldMGguy
Dec 13, 2007 1:00 PM

Large accumulation of woody debris from December 2-3 storm north of Siuslaw River North Jetty. Majority near the jetty. Very little man-made litter observed on this mile today. Very few birds observed today. MORE

Mile 171, looking north from Siuslaw River north jetty.

Mile 171, looking south from Heceda Beach

Midsection Mile 171, looking north

Foredune modification by homeowner, north end Mile 171

Foredune modification by homeowner, north end Mile 171
Description:	Foredune removal occurred summer 2007. State and county legal action reported by media at the time. No observed remediation to date.

Marine egg casing
Description:	5 egg casings (I don't know the species) observed in high tide debris line.

oldMGguy
Dec 5, 2007 11:00 AM

Major new collection of woody and vegetation debris, logs, and stumps north of Siuslaw North Jetty at high tide mark. Some styrofoam and 4 old tires mixed in. Majority of debris next to jetty. Notable absence of usual pod of harbor seals north of jetty rocks. Injured/sick western grebe sitting in high tide debris line. No visible injury or line entanglement. Surf Scoters and 30-50 Sanderling working surf line. MORE

JKLenox
Sep 3, 2007 9:00 AM

Heavy concentration of Red and Orange Algae in creek by Driftwood Shores does not look or smell good. Diaper and several bottles and cans collected near resort area. Sad to see such little regard for the beach at the resort! It is dirty at Driftwood Shores today. MORE

JKLenox
Jun 16, 2007 9:00 AM

Storms have pushed more sand and driftwood towards Jetty creating an additional fore dune. Cars cannot access jetty as the sand has blocked access. MORE

JKLenox
Mar 11, 2007 1:30 PM

It was cloudy with strong winds on the beach, many people enjoying the beauty. Huge logs on the Jetty brought in by winter storms, the tide was out and the beach was very clean. MORE

JKLenox
Dec 16, 2006 12:30 PM

Lots of plastic debris left from this weeks storms. Bottles, tops, trays, milk carton. Filled 2 trash bags with debris. Logs and sand pushed high onto North Jetty from storms. Only two Gulls along drift line, many have flown inland. MORE