Report Details

I've walked this mile for Plover Patrol; this is my first time for CoastWatch. The photos show the future landfall site of PacWave South, OSU's project to install and test wave energy collection devices six miles off the coast between Waldport and Newport, with seafloor transmission cables coming ashore at Driftwood Beach. In the wayside's parking area, the seafloor cables will connect to terrestrial cables which will proceed underground to an OSU facility just east of Highway 101, where the electricity generated will be transmitted to Central Lincoln PUD.  Although the project will generate electricity, it's primary purpose is to test different wave energy collection devices along with the infrastructure necessary for such a project. OSU has prepared a detailed environmental assessment plan, and it doesn't appear that there will be adverse impact to the shore. All terrestrial drilling will occur underground through "horizontal directional drilling," although in the Driftwood parking lot underground concrete vaults will be installed for transitioning between seafloor and terrestrial cables. The project is to begin later this year, with the first phase scheduled to last six to eight months. Information, maps, photos, and schematics, can be found by Googling PacWave South

Conditions

Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 3.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 5. Number of dogs: 4. Walking or running: 5.

Notable Wildlife

Very few birds, just a few gulls, crows, and turkey vultures. There are two current Western Snowy Plover nests on Mile 203, and two on Mile 205, but none seen here.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces. Very light driftline content, no debris

New Development

Bluff development. Development is not new, approximately 20 homes in three or four clusters atop the bluff overlooking the beach.

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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