Mile 242 Report
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
January 23, 2026
During the observation period, favorable coastal weather conditions attracted numerous visitors seeking relief from colder valley temperatures.
Report Details
During the observation period, favorable coastal weather conditions attracted numerous visitors seeking relief from colder valley temperatures. Public engagement was noted as individuals discussed emerging surf technologies. The team interacted with the public while being directed to a QR code associated with the Bedrock Theater Listen Series to enhance visitor learning. For the first time during monitoring, deer tracks were documented on the beach. Ongoing concerns remain regarding improper disposal of dog waste, including both bagged and unbagged scat. Additionally, a total of seven pounds of litter was collected and removed from Mile 242, highlighting continued human impact on the site.
Conditions
Temperature: 49 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 2.5 feet.
Activities
Number of people: 130. Number of dogs: 17.
Other Activities: Noted that electric bikes are becoming more familiar on Mile 242. There were kite flyers, a gymnastics group, and a group celebration where cars were parked on the sand.. E bike riders are riding directly into a flock of over 300 gulls, causing over half the flock to move to avoid a collision. The team also noted an unattended fire pit area..
Concerns
Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs
Vehicles
Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 17.
Notable Wildlife
Many Western Gulls, multiple sea anemones, 4 sea stars, and many sculpins. Maggots were noted crawling on dead bird carcasses.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 10. INaturalist identified the birds as Western Gulls and Common Murres. The team did not find any leg bands.
Stranded Marine Mammals
N/A
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
There were many sea jellies. Some had been in the area for an extended time, as they had the same consistency as fruit leather.
Wrackline Content
There was little to no distinct wrack line.
Man-made Modifications
Vandalism. New carvings/ writing were discovered north of Canyon Park. Photos to follow.
Natural Changes
Visible layers of sandstone were noted south of the D River. Note the changes in the photos.
Surfer explains new technology available for surfers.
Sign found a distance away. Bobbie notes that the sign has been weathered and places it on the trail that leads to the sandstone cliff.
Bird disturbance from an E Bike.
Interesting sand movement by tidepools.
Searching for species in the tidepools on Mile 242.
Tide level low for investigation.
View toward the ocean by tidepools at the beginning of the mile.
Erosion of sandstone cliffs toward the end of the mile.
Holes dug into the cliff at the end of the Mile 242.
New graffiti carved into sandstone at the end of the mile.
Newly exposed sandstone layers.
Observation sandstone cliff. Last photos on our reports.
Report Images
Teachers Bill, Sally, Bobbie, Annette, and Maureen
CoastWatcher
All Mile 242 Reports
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
A damp, foggy coastal day resulted in fewer visitors and their pets enjoying the beach than on a typical summer day. Tide pool habitats were teeming with sea stars, anemones, mussels, limpets, and other marine organisms. Unfortunately, graffiti continues to spread across the sandstone cliffs and seawalls, diminishing the natural beauty of the area and creating an ongoing concern. Litter collection was especially productive during this survey.
Teachers Bobbie, Bill, Sally, Annette, Maureen
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
What began as a foggy morning along the coast soon became much clearer when we spotted a familiar face educating the public at the tide pools near Mile 242. Annette, a member of our group, took the opportunity to educate families about the Lincoln City Glass Floats program, encouraging participants to explore areas outside of protected habitats to increase their chances of discovering one of the treasured glass floats while minimizing impacts to sensitive coastal resources. The high volume of visitors also resulted in a significant amount of litter. As the fog lifted, the coastline came alive with activity.
Teachers Bobbie, Annette, Bill, Sally, and Maureen
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
CoastWatch volunteers develop highly trained observational skills. Our monitored mile has changed dramatically as shifting sands have buried portions of the tidepool habitat. Construction of the new visitor center is also underway near our monitoring area.
Teachers Annette, Bobbie, Sally, Bill, and Maureen
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
Anyone missing a sock?
Bobbie, Annette, Sally, Bill, and Maureen
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
During our field observation at the Oregon shore, unseasonably warm weather conditions coincided with increased recreational activity.
Teachers Bobbie, Annette, Sally, Bill, and Maureen
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
During the observation period, favorable coastal weather conditions attracted numerous visitors seeking relief from colder valley temperatures.
Teachers Bill, Sally, Bobbie, Annette, and Maureen
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
At low tide, breakfast at the coast offered a view of the natural world awakening.
Teachers Sally, Bobbie, Annette, Kaily, and Maureen
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
Over the weekend, a large number of visitors escaped the 100-degree valley heat and headed to the cool Oregon coast, where tidepooling proved especially popular.
Teachers Sally, Laurie, Bobby, Annette, and Maueen
