January 23, 2026

The recent flooding and landslides on the Siletz River has deposited many times the amount of trees, logs and root balls! Several beach drift wood structures already include house debris pieces! I triple checked on the pelican since most had already gone south for the winter.

Report Details

The recent flooding and landslides on the Siletz River has deposited many times the amount of trees, logs and root balls! Reports include 3 houses destroyed and several more damaged plus many docks and decks damaged. The City has placed a dumpster at the end of the SW 51 for debris. (The dumpster was filled each time I looked over several days.) Debris from the destroyed houses is being picked up by many good citizens. Debris includes: grey painted siding, white painted trim, foam insulation on plywood, plywood, water heaters, fiberglass insulation, vinyl flooring on plywood, beams with galvanized hangers, roof rafters with galvanized plates, 2x6 flooring, CCA treated deck and dock beams and decking. Galvanized and treated screws, nails and staples are sticking out which could hurt any clean up crew and future beach users. The toxic metals and wood treatment chemicals will be released over time and if burned in a beach fire. Much of the house debris is located too far away from the dumpster to expect people to carry large debris pieces for proper disposal. Several beach drift wood structures already include house debris pieces! I triple checked on the pelican since most had already gone south for the winter.

Conditions

Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Tide Level: 4 feet.

Activities

Number of people: 65. Number of dogs: 26.

Other Activities: searchinbg for agates, searching for glass floats. All beach areas had recently deposited pieces of several landslide destroyed and damaged houses and several times the normal amount of trees, logs and root balls. I assume this was the landslide that closed highway 229. The debris visually includes: hot water heaters, plywood, grey painted siding, white painted trim, fiberglass insulation, 2x6 flooring, rafters, beams, vinyl flooring, foam insulation on plywood, etc. The City has placed a dumpster at the SW 51 turnaround for beach cleanup items. On different days, this dumpster was filled almost full with varying debris; many people are helping to clean up this large mess. Many old/cold beach fires were already present with partially burned painted wood and chemically treated deck wood (potentially leaving toxic chemical residues [lead containing paint, copper, arsenic, chromium], nails, screws and galvanized hangers.) Several drift wood structures now include many house debris! Many dog waste deposits were visible and several filled dog clean up bags were left on the beach..

Concerns

Litter

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Notable Wildlife

Many seal heads were popping up along the shore and in the Siletz River! About 140 seals were sleeping across the Siletz River on the sand bank, away from people and dogs. Hundreds of gulls were flying, sitting on the rocks and diving for food. About 25 cormorants and 2 black oystercatchers were sitting on the rocks. One pelican was also sighted on the rocks!

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. One gull was dead, with no leg bands.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

A few jelly fish were washed up.

Wrackline Content

Pieces of the landslide destroyed houses were present.

Man-made Modifications

Steps down bluff. New beach access steps with a concrete landing has been installed through the grass to the sand at the new house (3757 SW Anchor Court.) This new house has been mentioned before. I did not find any request for an accessway permit on the Oregon Parks webpage.

Natural Changes

Landslides/major boulder falls. More erosion with bushes and sand landslides have occured under the Ester Lee hotel.