Report Details

The most striking development here is at the junction of Miles 218-219 where Big Creek now runs up against Yaquina Head, especially at low tide. Oldtimers say this is unusual for the 'mouth' or 'delta' of the creek to migrate so far north in a season. Now that we're probably past any serious surf and/or torrential rains for the summer, this is likely where Big Creek will exit the beach until fall at least. Freshwater is now running through the tidepools on Yaquina Head's SE side and it will be interesting to note if there are any changes in the marine inhabitants. Also note, if you use the Lucky Gap Trail for access, you will have to wade Big Creek to get to the lower beach and surfline.In addition, I should point out that with the prevailing wind direction veering around to the NW, seasonal dune-building on the upper beach is in full swing.

Conditions

Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: -2.1 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 40. Walking or running: 10. Surfing: 5. Other Activities: 25 Clamming. Minus tides had clammers working the exposed bars.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 15.

Notable Wildlife

Turkey vultures, whimbrels

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 15. Western gull

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. California sea lion, deceased

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), 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.

Natural Changes

Mouth of Big Creek has moved to Yaquina Head (unusual that it gets that far north)

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All Mile 218 Reports

Showing 8 of 39 reports

Mile 218

Agate Beach, State Wayside, Little Creek

June 23, 2023

*** Watch Note *** This is my first documentation of Mile 218 (Agate Beach) and I will use today's report as a baseline for reporting future changes.

Darlynd

Mile 218

Agate Beach, State Wayside, Little Creek

June 22, 2019

I first attempted this survey on June 17.

dderickson

Mile 218

Agate Beach, State Wayside, Little Creek

March 16, 2019

The beach is flat, i.

dderickson

Mile 218

Agate Beach, State Wayside, Little Creek

December 6, 2018

Very few people on the beach; most of them arrived just prior to sunset (which was beautiful).

dderickson

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 218

Agate Beach, State Wayside, Little Creek

November 12, 2018

Beautiful clear afternoon with no problems noticed.

Peacecoaster

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 218

Agate Beach, State Wayside, Little Creek

September 11, 2018

Most of the people were at the north end of the beach.

dderickson

Mile 218

Agate Beach, State Wayside, Little Creek

June 21, 2018

A lot of people on the beach this evening -- hard to keep count!

dderickson

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 218

Agate Beach, State Wayside, Little Creek

April 29, 2018

Better late than never -- I missed reporting in March!

dderickson