Mile 293 - Rockaway Beach, State Wayside - January 6, 2008 | Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition

Report Details

The beach in Rockaway is in very poor shape. Literally what must be tons of sand has been scoured from the beach and the waves easily reach the bluff at every low tide. There is considerable new erosion north and south of my mile from the storms that hit just before and after Christmas. There is no slope to the beach to slow the run up of the waves and in many places, there is a perpendicular drop (10-20') from the bluff to the beach. There are also many fractures and cracks on the top of the bluff and appears likely that further sloughing of the bluff will occur in the future.

Conditions

Temperature: 42 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 8.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 4. Number of dogs: 2. Other Activities: Standing in front of the Wayside. There was only a four block area that one could walk on the beach between NW 3rd and SW 3rd. The waves were hitting the riprap from NW 10th to NW 3rd.

Concerns

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 2.

Notable Wildlife

seagulls

Driftline Content

Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. plastic and cellophane wrappers, trees, large logs and rocks from the riprap

Man-made Modifications

New riprap or shoreline protection structures. House that burned down between NW 5th and 6th torn down

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune, Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Evidence of wave overtopping, Visible retreat of solid bluff.