Mile 131 - Horsfall Beach, Oregon Dunes NRA - September 19, 2009

Report Details

With a minus tide, the beach view was spectacular.Due to Saturday morning rains, visible fresh water was flowing at the same elevation midway up the beach on a horizontal line several hundred feet in width. Some driftwood, not much kelp.ATV tracks kept north of 'Motor Vehicle ProhibitedSign at Horsfall'. Beach Cleanup Day - a full dumpster at Horsfall Beach! Shells, animal casings, kelp/algae, small rocks, wood pieces and small jellies in driftline. 34 Western Gulls at water's edge and 2 small flocks of brown Pelican flying over the ocean. Moderate human impact (25)-19 walking, 3 playing in sand and 2 sitting. Four dogs. Beach access stabilized with geotech fabric at Horsfall.

Conditions

Temperature: 68 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: -0.4 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 25. Number of dogs: 4. Walking or running: 19. Playing in sand: 3. Sitting: 2. A mid-size leashed dog was being pulled alongside an ATV by a passenger for several hundred yards. The dog was not enjoying it and was straining to keep up with the driver's speed.

Concerns

Apparent violations: none.

Vehicles

ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed: 6.

Notable Wildlife

34 Western Gulls at water's edge, 2 small groups of brown pelicans moving over water and small jellies (quarter sized).

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

none

Driftline Content

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

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune. 2-4 foot width of vegetated foredune dropping in elev.