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I walked down to Driftwood Beach about an hour after the morning's King Tide. The water hadn't run up too high on the beach, but as always there was evidence of previous strong tidal surges--a concrete block in the sand, bull kelp in Buckley Creek where it enters the beach, new driftwood logs and stumps. With the continued closure of Driftwood Wayside for the PacWave South wave energy project, hardly anyone was on the beach to enjoy a beautiful December day. Despite the recent wet weather (my rain guage measured a total of 21.5" for October and November), work continues on the PacWave South project both at Driftwood Wayside and east of Highway 101. For the most recent updates and photos from PacWave, see:https://pacwaveenergy.org/constructionupdates/

Conditions

Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 7.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 3. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 3. The black metallic sands in the northern part of Mile 204, continuing into Mile 205, are reported to contain small amounts of gold. During the mid 1800's, an early settler, George Collins, worked a gold mining operation on Mile 205 at what is now Collins Creek, the actual labor performed by local indigenous peoples, including Mrs. Colllins, for whom Mile 205's Squaw Creek is apparently named.

Notable Wildlife

None, just a few gulls

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. One carcass immature gull

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). Very little driftline. Some microplastics and ocean-based debris.

Man-made Modifications

PacWave South project continues, see Summary.

Natural Changes

Visible retreat of solid bluff. New sloughing off of Buckley Creek sand bluff

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All Mile 204 Reports

Showing 8 of 55 reports

Mile 204

November 19, 2023

Today marked my latest sighting of the old growth driftwood log that I've admired and whose comings and goings from Driftwood Beach I've documented since June 2020, when I first photographed it high on the beach south of Buckley Creek.

Jon French

Mile 204

August 11, 2023

I had read that the 265-foot vessel Seacor Lee would be anchoring a mile off Driftwood Beach in support of OSU's PacWave South wave energy testing project, positioned so that divers from the ship could perform work on previously installed seafloor conduits.

Jon French

Mile 204

June 17, 2023

I haven't walked Driftwood Beach regularly since the PacWave South wave energy project completed work underground in the Driftwood parking lot.

Jon French

Mile 204

January 1, 2023

By the time I got to Driftwood Wayside, a lot of people had already arrived for their New Years Day beach walks, some 30 vehicles in the parking lot and 30 - 40 people down on the beach, accompanied by at least half as many dogs, almost all leashed.

Jon French

Mile 204

October 23, 2022

This was probably the last dependably dry Mile 204 walk before the rains begin in earnest.

Jon French

Mile 204

August 17, 2022

After the morning fog lifted and before the marine layer moved in, I walked from Seal Rock on Mile 205 to Beach Access 66C on Mile 203.

Jon French

Mile 204

June 3, 2022

Driftwood Wayside is open again after PacWave's departure, but I was the only visitor on this breezy, drizzly day.

Jon French

Mile 204

May 10, 2022

The PacWave South wave energy project hosted a BBQ today at Driftwood Wayside for staff and neighbors to celebrate the completion of construction work here and the reopening of the Wayside later this month.

Jon French