Mile 132 - Horsfall Beach, Oregon Dunes NRA west of Spirit Lake - January 2, 2009

Report Details

Beach looks typical for winter, some of the summer sand build up has been removed and a couple of ship wrecks are becoming more exposed. These genearlly bring visitors, as one nice one is just over the foredune from the parking lot at Horsfall Beach, and an old wooden ship is down the beach to the South on mile 131. Visitors need to be careful as the breakers are large and powerful. This is a great beach to study near-shore ocean currents and wave action. Rip currents are easy to see from the top of the foredune as is the along shore current. As a side note the Contractor is gathering rocks and equipment to repair the North Jetty of Coos Bay. This repair is running behind schedule due to lack of suitable large rocks in the Coos County area. Shells, animal casings, kelp/algae, wood pieces, ocean-based debris, Styrofoam, crab pot floats and ropes in the driftline. A few gulls and lots of logs on the beach. Moderate human impact (8) driving 3 cars/trucks and 2 ATV/OHVs within an allowed area.

Conditions

Temperature: 40 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Strong. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 2.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 8. Other Activities: ATV's and Vehicles. Awful weather and cold wind ! This mile is near Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area so lots of vehicles are allowed. I drive my own on beach also.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 3. ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed: 2.

Notable Wildlife

Few gulls, lots od logs and other stuff from storms.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. Crab Pot floats and ropes are common due to storms