Mile 212 Report
Holiday Beach north, Moore Creek, Grant Creek
May 14, 2010
One person was on the beach, apparently rock hunting.
Report Details
One person was on the beach, apparently rock hunting. A few birds were flying over or foraging on the beach. There were four pigeon guillemots in the surf - a few nest in burrows at the top of the cliffs along this stretch of beach. An old decomposed sea lion carcass was in Moore Creek where the creek entered the upper beach. In January, 2006 a major crack appeared separating a large chunk of beach cliff just north of Grant Creek. This chunk is now eroded to a vegetation-topped pinnacle (see comparative photos). Minor sand slumps and rock falls continue to erode the beach cliffs along this mile. At about 11:00, at tide level 3 ft above MLLW, we found one of the ancient stumps exposed in the surf line just south of Moore Creek. These stumps were part of a forest that existed above the beach several hundred years ago. They ended up at beach level as a result of a large earthquake that caused the land to drop several feet.
Conditions
Temperature: 54 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 2.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 1. At the beach approach there is a box with bags for people to pick up beach trash. Apparently this is regularly used, as this beach is relatively clean.
Concerns
Vehicles
Notable Wildlife
Live eagles, gulls, crows, swallows, double-crested cormorants, 2 whimbrel and a turkey vulture all flying over; 2 brown-headed cowbirds, 4 pigeon guillemots (in surf), 1 spotted sandpiper on beach
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. Very old decomposed sea lion in Moore Creek as the creek enters the beach
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Scattered Dungeness crab and mole crab carapaces
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. plastic and glass bottles
Man-made Modifications
no new development
Natural Changes
Visible retreat of solid bluff. Several minor sand slumps and rockfalls
Actions & Comments
No



Report Images
All Mile 212 Reports
Mile 212
Holiday Beach north, Moore Creek, Grant Creek
Biggest feature is the along-shore trough near the shore where base material is currently exposed.
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Holiday Beach north, Moore Creek, Grant Creek
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Holiday Beach north, Moore Creek, Grant Creek
A few small slumps and sloughs in the past few months.
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Holiday Beach north, Moore Creek, Grant Creek
New sections of beach cliff slides
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Holiday Beach north, Moore Creek, Grant Creek
Two locations with various degrees of erosion.
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Holiday Beach north, Moore Creek, Grant Creek
A few new drainage pipes and a new cement walkway onto the beach at the south end of the Surfland development.
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Holiday Beach north, Moore Creek, Grant Creek
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