Mile 197 - San Marine, Tillicum Beach, Tillicum Beach CG - December 31, 2018

Report Details

This was a beautiful, sunny, although chilly at 45 degrees Fahrenheit, New Year's Eve afternoon after a week or so of rains and blustery winds. The tide was low, so there was a large expanse of beach, and people were walking dogs, or just pleasure-walking or running. There were few birds, only occasional gulls flying by. The only notable changes from the last survey 5 months ago were some mud and rock slides and further erosion of the bluffs. Predictably, there was a lot of rainwater runoff down the face of the bluffs in rivulets and washes and an occasional small waterfall. Only a few spots had functioning drainpipes. The ocean had calmed after the King Tides and huge rolling waves and spindrift of last week, and was sparkling in the sun, just glorious. All in all, an optimistic prognostication for the year to come. Happy New Year!

Conditions

Temperature: 45 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 2.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 25. Number of dogs: 7. Walking or running: 15. Playing in surf: 5. Playing in sand: 3. Sitting: 2. Access to beach is fronted by a moderately-sized campground, which appeared to be near capacity.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 20. RVs/Buses parking: 15.

Notable Wildlife

a few gulls

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

2 large dead jellyfish located in wrack line at what was probably the last high tide line

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.).

Man-made Modifications

New riprap or shoreline protection structures. There appears to be more extensive riprap rock in place against the embankment than on previous survey

Natural Changes

Landslides/major boulder falls, Erosion of vegetated foredune.