Mile 161 Report
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
April 2, 2026
We walked along the wrack line of mile 161 and tallied the living and the non-living things we saw. We estimated how many of the big groups of living and non-living things are on the mile, tallied the living and non-living things we saw, and we took a few samples.
Report Details
We walked along the wrack line of mile 161 and tallied the living and the non-living things we saw. We also made 3 5-by-5 foot boxes along the wrack line in random areas and counted everything inside them. We also experienced seals being up close and sneaker waves and more! We also learned there are a lot of sailors out in the spring months. They are also really slippery. There were also a couple of pieces of plastic! We should never litter! We estimated how many of the big groups of living and non-living things are on the mile, tallied the living and non-living things we saw, and we took a few samples. We found very strong evidence of living things; we didn't find as much evidence of non-living things as we did of living things on the wrack line. We had a lot of fun in mile 161. It was a very fun experience! In the end we are very grateful for this opportunity and we are very lucky to have this program, thank you all the volunteers and chaperones.
Conditions
Temperature: 47 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 4.0 feet.
Activities
Types of Activities: Walking/Running.
Number of people: 11. Number of dogs: 1.
Other Activities: Drawing in the sand with sticks.
Concerns
Litter, People/dogs/vehicles in closure areas
Disturbances: Disturbance of nesting seabirds
Notable Wildlife
Hawk, harbor seals in the water, plover and other sea birds
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Unusual concentration. Vellela Vellela in the thousands, and crab shells/legs, 2 dead fish
Wrackline Content
Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings or molts, Wood pieces, Marine debris. A few plastics, the majority Velella velella
Report Images
Siuslaw Middle School Stream Team
CoastWatcher
All Mile 161 Reports
Mile 161
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
What is life like on the Oregon coast beaches? Vellela vellela is a genus of hydrozoa (a group of little, predatory sea creatures) in the family Porpitidae. The Field trip on mile 161 we found amazing stuff from dead wildlife to stuff from Japan and China!
Siuslaw Stream Team
Mile 161
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
We walked along the wrack line of mile 161 and tallied the living and the non-living things we saw. We estimated how many of the big groups of living and non-living things are on the mile, tallied the living and non-living things we saw, and we took a few samples.
Siuslaw Middle School Stream Team
Mile 161
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
What evidence of living or non-living things is found in the wrack line of mile 161? We went to the lowest rackline first, then, while going back, explored the top rackline. Then we explored the river’s mouth and went back to the starting point in the middle. We went the other way until we got to the big yellow sign that said 109A. We did the same thing here, we went to the lowest rack line, then the highest wrack line on the way back. In conclusion, the beach has many living things on the shoreline, and you should be careful of things there. We found lots of shells and other things to put on our posters. By Kaydence Gonzales, Olive Dougherty, Lillian Olson, Ella Gilkey, Myla Streck, Kinsey Boggs
Siuslaw Stream Team
Mile 161
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
We are the shoreline group of the first quarter 6th-grade Stream Team.
Siuslaw Stream Team
Mile 161
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
I was pleasantly surprised to spot many juvenile plovers near the water's edge and further up the shore, sitting in scrapes. I was dismayed to find long expanses of dead jellies. As always, the osprey were feeding and then watching me from their perch on an old fallen tree.
Anna Yori
Mile 161
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
I was happy to see less human encroachment this time into the protected, fenced-off areas designated for the endangered Snowy Plovers.
Anna Yori
Mile 161
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
I monitor this location as a USFS Snowy Plover docent.
Anna Yori
Mile 161
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
Many abiotic and biotic factors can be found along the shoreline of Siltcoos Outlet, Florence Oregon. Overall, we found many living and non living things along the wrack line of mile 161.
Siuslaw Stream Team