Mile 160 Report
Oregon Dunes NRA just south of Siltcoos River
March 9, 2010
Access to Mile 160 via the Wax Myrtle trail was almost impossible due to 1-1/2 feet of water in two large areas, with no way to avoid wading through it.
Report Details
Access to Mile 160 via the Wax Myrtle trail was almost impossible due to 1-1/2 feet of water in two large areas, with no way to avoid wading through it. Evidence of recent storms bringing in large numbers of large logs and much debris and garbage. Only 6 people walking on small area of the shore north of the river outlet to the ocean. Government truck drove short distance and parked for 15-20 min. Conspicuous absence of dead invertebrate and bird remains. Large flocks of sanderlings and only a few gulls noted. Most exciting was the bald eagle soaring above the beach.
Conditions
Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light.
Human Activities
Number of people: 6. Walking or running: 6. Other Activities: 2- Gov't truck.
Notable Wildlife
One bald eagle in flight. Few gulls.
Beached Birds
No dead birds noted-unusual.
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Only one jelly noted and only a few crab casings.
Driftline Content
Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Styrofoam, Wood pieces.
Natural Changes
Erosion of vegetated foredune.
Treehugger1
CoastWatcher
All Mile 160 Reports
Mile 160
Oregon Dunes NRA just south of Siltcoos River
Heavy equipment removing beach grass and sand from dune.
DeniseH
Mile 160
Oregon Dunes NRA just south of Siltcoos River
Snowy plover fencing intact and no one violating that rule.
mbbsmile
Mile 160
Oregon Dunes NRA just south of Siltcoos River
Very windy day and only saw one person on the beach.
mbbsmile
Mile 160
Oregon Dunes NRA just south of Siltcoos River
It was a beautiful cold windy day.
mbbsmile
Mile 160
Oregon Dunes NRA just south of Siltcoos River
My mile was actually inaccessible the ponds on either side of the path had grown together and blocked the path at least a hundred yards before the normal little ford I always have to cross It will be a while before that goes down.
lightbug
Mile 160
Oregon Dunes NRA just south of Siltcoos River
My biggest surprise was the lack of trash, I nearly always bring three or four bags of trash off the beach, but not today.
lightbug
Mile 160
Oregon Dunes NRA just south of Siltcoos River
With the effort of many volunteers we collected four heaping pickup loads of trash, including a hot water heater from a five mile stretch
lightbug
Mile 160
Oregon Dunes NRA just south of Siltcoos River
My usual scenic walk along the Siltcoos River was under water today.
lightbug