Mile 20 Report
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
January 12, 2009
We were incredibly surprised to see an extraordinary amount of forest duff (leaves, needles and moss) piled up to a height of 10 to 12 feet on the beach from the headland south to about the middle of Mile 20.
Report Details
We were incredibly surprised to see an extraordinary amount of forest duff (leaves, needles and moss) piled up to a height of 10 to 12 feet on the beach from the headland south to about the middle of Mile 20. We later learned that Curry County experienced very heavy rainfall on December 27 and 28th, 2008 with a record 16 inches in a 48 hour period. Also, there was heavy flooding of the rivers in the area south of Crook Point. We hypothesize that the duff was washed from the forests and sides of the banks of the rivers and was collected by the south-facing beach of Crook Point. The extreme high tides of the year also occurred during this time, making this an exceptional collection point. Sand removed from south beach exposing cobbles and small rocks. Beach slope of 5 degrees. Two large landslides and three smaller slumps of the headland. Run-off from the headland eroded away beach sand. Wood and branches on high beach behind duff. Small amount of algae mixed into the duff. One large live Cryptochiton (Gumboot Chiton) returned to sea. Five noisy Black Oystercathers flying around. 25 Harbor Seals hauled out on their favorite rock. River otter and deer tracks on beach. California Sea Lions heard barking on off-shore rocks. Wind speed of 1.8 mph. Air and ocean temperatures were 62 and 52.5 degrees F, respectively. Low human impact (5)- walking.
Conditions
Temperature: 62 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N.
Human Activities
Number of people: 5. Walking or running: 5.
Notable Wildlife
California Sea Lion heard barking on offshore islands. 25 Harbor Seals hauled out on south flat "seal rock". Five Black Oystercatchers seen. River Otter and Deer tracks on beach. One large Cryptochiton (Gumboot Chiton) returned to sea.
Driftline Content
Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Small rocks, Wood pieces. See General Comment
Natural Changes
Landslides/major boulder falls. See General Comment.
Actions & Comments
Driftline Content: Extraordinary amounts of forest duff (leaves, needles and moss) piled as high as 10-12 feet on the beach from the headland south to about the middle of the beach. A few algae mixed in the duff including Saccharina (Sea Cabbage),Callophyllis (Beautiful Leaf Seaweed), Mazzaella (Iridescent Seaweed), and Desmarestia ligulata (Acid Kelp or Broad Acid Weed). One old tire, steel drum from last month and the previously reported plastic fish tank was thrown up into driftwood on the beach.Beach and bluff erosion: Water running down gullies eroded away beach sand from the headland south to about the middle of the mile. Two large landslides and three smaller slumps in this same section. Sand removed from beach exposing cobbles and small rocks. Beach flat with a slope of 5 degrees.
Report Images
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All Mile 20 Reports
Mile 20
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
One person and two dogs were seen on the beach.
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Mile 20
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
Except for one small heavy patch of drift, the driftline was sparse with kelp/algae, Leather Bryozoa and crab carapaces.
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Mile 20
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
The driftline was absent except for two localized areas with terrestrial-derived leaves, mosses, wood pieces, some shredded blades of Pterygophora(Old Growth Kelp) and a few invertebrates and other algae and kelp.
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Mile 20
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
Peregrine Falcon resting on south end of Saddle Rock.
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Mile 20
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
Light driftline with 12 different genera of kelp and algae, terrestrial mosses, Leather Bryozoa (Flustrellidra corniculata), the flowering plant, Phyllospadix (Seagrass) and small rocks.
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Mile 20
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
Three boats seen drifting very close to offshore rocks.
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Mile 20
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
The south beach lacked driftline and sand has accumulated around the drift logs and over the large rocks at the base of the headland.
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Mile 20
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
The driftline was light on the southern and northern portions of the beach but heavy on the middle portion of the beach with large amounts of kelp/algae and forest duff.
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