Mile 90 Report

March 21, 2007
by [email protected]

Location:
Coos
West of New River, New Lake
Conditions:
Wednesday 1:38 AM
Sunny
55° F
Wind:
Moderate from the NW
Tide Level:
6.0 ft
Humans / Pets:
People:
0
Dogs:
0
Activities:
Concerns:
Disturbances:
Vehicles:
Activity Comments:
No human activity or tracks
Notable Wildlife:
4 Harbor Seals in mouth of New River breach S of New Lake, several hundred Buffleheads on New River, 2 Minks on banks New River. 1 unidentified hawk.
Dead Birds:
Stranded:
Fish & Invertebrates:
Driftline:
Kelp or Algae·Animal casings (e.g. crab, shrimp molt)·Animal casings (e.g. crab, shrimp molt)·Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.)·Shells·Wood pieces
mostly razor clam shells and wood debris
New Development:
Modifications:
Natural Changes:
Comments:
Summary:
Kayaked into S. side of lagoon created by previous mechanical breaching of New River at S end of Snowy Plover Habitat Restoration Area and walked south to 2005 mechanical breach which reopened naturally in Fall of 2006. New River breaching waist deep or greater 1 mile S of New Lake. Four Harbor Seals in river near mouth.Pollen colored foam at driftline. Hardly any seaweed or debris of any kind. Mostly natural woody debris. Gulls moving N along beach. Groups of 20 - 30 Sanderlings on beach feeding. Human impact (0).
  • +6 tide at southern seasonal breach of New River. Ocean is pushing sand into mouth of breach forcing breach south along the beach. Natural process of sanding the mouth shut usually occurs when winds are steady out of the NNW for a few weeks.
    +6 tide at southern seasonal breach of New River. Ocean is pushing sand into mouth of breach forcing breach south along the beach. Natural process of sanding the mouth shut usually occurs when winds are steady out of the NNW for a few weeks.
    1/2 mile south of Coos/Curry line
    March 21, 2007
  • South end of 3 mile Snowy Plover Habitat Restoration Area approximately 1/2 mile N of Coos/Curry Line. Be careful, nesting is common on these scoured beaches left behind by previous breaching events.
    South end of 3 mile Snowy Plover Habitat Restoration Area approximately 1/2 mile N of Coos/Curry Line. Be careful, nesting is common on these scoured beaches left behind by previous breaching events.
    1/2 mile N of Coos/ Curry Line.
    March 21, 2007
  • Good example of the composition of the beach debris on this day.
    Good example of the composition of the beach debris on this day.
    Coos/Curry County line
    March 21, 2007
  • This is a blowup of the head of the marine mammal I sited swimming out of the river. Looks grey, so I'm calling it a Harbor Seal.
    This is a blowup of the head of the marine mammal I sited swimming out of the river. Looks grey, so I'm calling it a Harbor Seal.
    1/2 mile S. of Coos/Curry line
    March 21, 2007
  • Flustrellidra coniculata, a Bryozoan. This looks like an algae (plant) but is really a colony of animals and each animal is called a zooid.
    Flustrellidra coniculata, a Bryozoan. This looks like an algae (plant) but is really a colony of animals and each animal is called a zooid.
    Coos/ Curry Line
    March 21, 2007
Other Mile 90 Reports (7)

2009

January 17, 2009 - [email protected]
Paddled back S from mile 89 and entered beach at S end of New River Snowy Plover Habitat Restoration Area. Walked N and S from this point. Inspected beach campsite for human impact. Saw Tundra Swans...
read more
  • This was part of a group of 36 flying S over the beach.
  • Just a profile looking N from post for beach campsite.
  • Same spot looking S toward Blacklock Pt.
  • This is just a sample of the debris. There was very little algae or organic material in tidal debris. White foam at surf line.
  • This bunch was working the bank where the river had recently receded. They took off and flew right back to where they were feeding. It must have been good - because they paid little attention to my presence.
  • I drifted into this huge group of coots on my way out of mile 90. I snapped a few photos as they ran across the water in front of me.

2008

September 21, 2008 - [email protected]
I kayaked from Storm Ranch boat ramp site to S end of New River Plover Habitat Restoration Site. Camped the night with my wife and night paddled the river. Really nice - mirror surface of river -...
read more
  • This guy "I think" hauled out and spent the night on the beach within 80 yds of our campsite. I took photos at sunset from cover in foredune. External ear flaps, golden fur, whiskers, no obvious scars or marks.
  • Here is close up of foam layer in wrack. Lot's of diatoms.
  • 2 hawks working the river over the 4 miles we traveled.
June 2, 2008 - [email protected]
Kayaked in from New River to S end of New River Plover Habitat Restoration Area (HRA). Nice day, little or no wind. Removed beach campsite kiosk box that had been vandalized during the summer and...
read more
March 12, 2008 - [email protected]
Kayaked from Storm Ranch to site of old 2002 breach and walked N and S from this point. Saw Red Fox and Raccoon tracks. Large tree trunks and logs deposited during winter overwash events in old...
read more
  • Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) They are larger than you might expect, but very different from dog or coyote tracks. Notice wide space between front toe pads and heel pad and longer shape of toes and narrow chevron shape of heel pad. Far left track is classic.

2007

December 20, 2007 - [email protected]
Kayaked across New River at N end of mile 92 and walked S. to point .5 mile S. of Coos/Curry Cty line. No sign of human activity. Normal winter shoreline erosion with tide eroding at base of...
read more
  • New River breaching to ocean .5 mile S. Coos/Curry Line. 70 feet across at mouth.
  • This guy swooped low down the mouth of the river while I was eating lunch. Photo was from 3 feet away.
  • This is beach to foredune profile from near middle of mile 90 looking N.
  • This is the profile looking S near middle of mile 90
  • This is example of very white and thick frothy foam on beach. I guess this may be typical when storms are coming in.
  • This was the only carcass found on beach. No bands
August 12, 2007 - [email protected]
Kayaked south on New River from mile 92 to mile 89. Beautiful clear calm day. River looks like glass. Crossed to beach on mile 90 at end boundary of Snowy Plover habitat restoration area and walked N...
read more
  • This is looking S toward Floras Lake and Blacklock Point from high foredune onto breach of New River which has sanded shut.
  • I was sitting in my kayak behind a big stump in the water while hundreds of geese came and went from this area. Nice and open - so they feel pretty secure.
  • The beach had almost no debris. Strangely clean.
June 17, 2007 - [email protected]
Kayaked across New River and walked S. 4 miles from North end of New River Habitat Restoration Area (mile 92)to active breach of New River just S. of Coos/Curry Cty line (mile 89?). Wrack was light...
read more
  • This the full view from New River out to the Ocean looking South.
  • This is fuzzy photo of mature bald eagle near breach. Notice the white head and rump.
  • This is typical view on this day. There had been a pretty high tide and everything was wiped clean.
  • Alaria is a large algae that has a prominent mid-rib.
  • This is breach at low tide. This is as good as it will get to cross right now. Not recommended as the swift water although knee deep will undercut you. Walking stick recommended if you attempt it.