Report Details

Construction has begun on OSU's PacWave South wave energy testing project at Driftwood Beach State Recreation Site (see my previous reports). The Driftwood parking lot is closed to vehicles, however PacWave has created a walking path through the woods to provide beach access for local residents. Shipping containers line the western and northern edges of the construction site to reduce noise. The wayside's native Kinnikinnick plant, on which the threatened Seaside Hoary Elfin butterfly depends, has been protectively flagged, and a PacWave biologist monitors Driftwood Beach to insure that no threatened Western Snowy Plovers are negatively impacted by the project. It's an odd sight, walking the beach and looking up at a row of shipping containers, but it's nice to see that this long-planned project is finally underway.

Conditions

Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Foggy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 2.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 12. Number of dogs: 5. Walking or running: 10. Other Activities: Two PacWave South workers apparently surveying Driftwood Beach at beach access 66 and staking red flags in the sand.

Notable Wildlife

A pair of Western Snowy Plovers seen. A Plover nest located north of Buckley Creek failed the previous week probably due to high tides/windblown sand.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces.

New Development

PacWave South construction at Driftwood Beach State Recreation Site parking lot--see Summary.

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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