Mile 205 - Driftwood Beach north, Collins Creek, Squaw Creek - January 18, 2016

Report Details

Today was a break in the storms for most of the morning. The entrance at Quail Drive was more eroded due to the heavy rains over the last few months. The sea foam was high on the vegetation line indicating the high tide at 12 a.m. had a little push. Much of the marine and domestic debris was found in the large woody debris that had been deposited high on the shoreline. The large logs and stumps were up against the now much reduced foredunes.

Conditions

Temperature: 52 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 1.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 4. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 4. Other Activities: Agate hunting.

Concerns

Litter

Notable Wildlife

One Western gull- Larus occidentalis, new red algae- Porphyra yezoensis and some small, filamentous, green algae on rocks, no living barnacles on the rock small groups of aggregating anemones- Anthopleuro elegantissima

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Cellulose worm casings

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). Possible tsunami debris

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune, Visible retreat of solid bluff, Evidence of wave overtopping. Sand scoured out, exposing tidepool rocks for the first time in about 3 years.

Actions & Comments

No, this is all due to the El Nino, King Tides and storm surges converging on the coastline.