Mile 173 Report
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
June 4, 2011
Today was a gloriously warm day at the beach.
Report Details
Today was a gloriously warm day at the beach. Sutton Creek continues to shift dramatically to the north, leaving part of the old channel as a brackish backwater. Trees and other foliage continue to die in that area and almost look as though they have been burned by the lack of water. The creek no longer threatens the riprap at Klahanee as it did several years ago. A new sand drift has cropped up north of the creek. There was very little natural debris and no garbage on the beach today, except for the occasional small bit of rope. Some crab shells and one large sea star were spotted. No human beings and no animal tracks (no dogs, horses or coyotes) were seen north of the creek today. The fording depth of Sutton Creek was 2-3 feet as the high tide came in.
Conditions
Temperature: 80 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: W. Tide Level: 8.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 12. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 10. Playing in surf: 2.
Concerns
Apparent violations: saw truck on beach, couldn't catch to get license plate number--south of Sutton Creek.
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 5. Cars/trucks on beach, prohibited: 1.
Notable Wildlife
Very few seabirds on the mile today...some sanderlings, seagulls and crows
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Unusual concentration. Mostly crab shells, low concentration
Driftline Content
Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces. NO SHIP GARBAGE previous on this beach
Natural Changes
Erosion of vegetated foredune, Major cracks appearing in bluffs, Newly exposed roots/trees falling. major continuing move north of Sutton Creek...now not anywhere near the riprap
Report Images
cheshire
CoastWatcher
All Mile 173 Reports
Mile 173
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
Hundreds of resting gulls, 8 humans 12 dogs-No humans encountered beyond the north of the creek mouth.
Ariana172
Mile 173
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
It has been a couple of months since I have had time to visit my mile.
cheshire
Mile 173
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
This is the first chance that I have had to walk this mile in several weeks.
cheshire
Mile 173
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
Walked miles 172-174 from south to north, then cut across the dunes inland and followed Sutton Creek back out to the ocean.
cheshire
Mile 173
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
The beach itself is cleaner than it has been, but there is quite a bit of debris that has blown into the dunes and into the area between the dunes and the brush on the north and west sides of Sutton Creek.
cheshire
Mile 173
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
Went back to Baker Beach, walking miles 172-176.
cheshire
Mile 173
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
I was able to cross the creek and check out the part of miles 173-174 North of Sutton Creek for the first time this year.
cheshire
Mile 173
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
Sutton Creek continues to migrate north, and the mouth of the creek has widened considerably.
cheshire