Mile 242 Report
December 15, 2015
This is what I found significant in my walk this morning: 1) There were very few people on the beach because of beach access closures and driftwood debris.
Report Details
This is what I found significant in my walk this morning: 1) There were very few people on the beach because of beach access closures and driftwood debris. 2) The high surf scoured the beach, pounding beach bluffs and riprap. Much new driftwood near Canyon Drive, less to the north, 3) Saw only one dead bird and surprisingly little ocean debris. 4) D River was the biggest I've seen it, about 75 yards wide on the beach. Lots of water volume. I had to walk up to 101 and cross the bridge to continue my walk north. 5) Compared to Mile 241 (which I walk almost daily), there was little bluff erosion, probably because the bluffs in mile 242 are not as high or as steep.
Human Activities
Number of people: 6. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 5. Surfing: 1. Very few people on beach. Beach access difficult because of driftwood blocking Canyon Drive access. D River wayside still closed by Oregon State Parks because of recent storms and high surf.
Concerns
Vehicles
Notable Wildlife
Very little wildlife observed. That's what was notable. Just a flock of gulls at D River.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 1. No band. About eight inches long. Black except for some white tail feathers on underside of tail and a few white feathers on underside of its wings.
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Unusual concentration.
Driftline Content
High surf scoured the beach and deposited driftwood all the way up to the bluff. Noticeably little beach debris.
New Development
None
Man-made Modifications
No modifications
Natural Changes
Evidence of wave overtopping. Landslides/major boulder falls; One small bluff slide that dislodged some pine trees. In sharp contrast to Mile 241 where there was alarming bluff erosion.
Report Images
All Mile 242 Reports
Mile 242
The winter storms have caused erosion with the 242 mile. It was a beautiful, sunny day filled with people and dogs exploring this stretch of mile 242.
Teachers: Annette, Sally, Bobbie, Bill, Maureen
Mile 242
We found some type of plant tuber, four total, North of D Sands. Graffiti was noted on a boulder north of D Sands. Of the dead birds, 51 were south of D Sands, and 10 were north. Our team collected a 3-gallon bag of marine debris.
Maureen Foelkl
Mile 242
I did not get any pictures as my camera is not working correctly at the moment.
Bluewater
Mile 242
For it being a rainy first day of spring break the beaches were pretty busy.
Bluewater