Mile 242 Report
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
March 13, 2024
The winter storms have caused erosion with the 242 mile. It was a beautiful, sunny day filled with people and dogs exploring this stretch of mile 242.
Report Details
The winter storms have caused erosion with the 242 mile. The bottom of the 15th Street beach access walkway had eroded. There is a large step down from the concrete stairway to the sandy beach. Along the pathway, velellas line the grassy area to the west side. Millions of dead velellas from the wrackline to the nearby cliffs were found along mile 242. We assume the high waves washed them ashore, leaving them stranded. Two new logs are deposited in the area. One is south of D Sand and one is north. Many grasses have been removed naturally or their roots are now exposed. There is a sand shelf below the cliffs that has been created since our visit in February. The storms have washed up millions of microplastic pieces. People seem to be picking up after their dogs but we found 4 bagged-up dog droppings left behind. It was a beautiful, sunny day filled with people and dogs exploring this stretch of mile 242.
Conditions
Temperature: 44 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: -0.4 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 67. Number of dogs: 24. Walking or running: 67. Sitting: 65. Tidepooling: 12. Other Activities: Our team watched a parasailor gliding above the cliffline. We observed a flock of gulls that we guided off course when the parasailor was turning the parasail wing in the opposite direction. One family had on wetsuits as they explored the shoreline waves. Two people were picking up trash. Five people were looking for glass floats. Four people thanked us for picking up litter.. Fat tire bike tracks were noted on both sides of D Sands River. Tire tracks were also noted in areas where clear signage warns people to stay away from eroding/protected areas.
Concerns
Litter, Driftwood removal
Apparent violations: We observed a person taking bark from a red alder tree log that appeared from the last storm..Vehicles
Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 10.
Notable Wildlife
10- Common Murres, eating from the tidepool area. Lots of hermit crabs, giant anemones, sculpins, congregant anemones, gooseneck barnacles, acorn barnacles, giant barnacles, Pacific blue mussels, and velellas.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 3. There were no leg bands noted. We counted one commorant and 2 auklets.
Stranded Marine Mammals
We did find a decomposed sea lion above the wrack line.
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
We spied one trout just south of D River, We thought this was odd.
Driftline Content
Small rocks, 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), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). The debris at the north end of D River had abundant pieces of polystyrene. South of D River we found mostly plastics and rope.
Natural Changes
Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Erosion of vegetated foredune. It appears the winter storms have eroded parts of the bluff, exposing root systems from grasses and one large tree. We did notice some boulder falls. Sluffing on the bluffs shows evidence caused by humans. Footprint trails were visible.
Report Images
Teachers: Annette, Sally, Bobbie, Bill, Maureen
CoastWatcher
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Mile 242
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The late spring discoveries of Mile 242 brought many people to enjoy the tidepools. https://beachconnection. We collected three pounds of trash and noted that there were fewer plastic bottle caps this month. Although the wind brought a chill to the air, it was a beautifully sunny day to explore the mile.
Bobbie, Sally, Annette Retired Teachers
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The low tide and the number of sea stars made tide pooling an educational experience for many families.
Teachers: Annette, Maureen, Bobbie, and Sally
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
The season of warming weather has brought more people to mile 242. We would appreciate Lincoln City sending out a stronger message for people who are searching for floats.
Teachers: Sally, Bill, Annette, Maureen, Bobbie, Laurie
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
The winter storms have caused erosion with the 242 mile. It was a beautiful, sunny day filled with people and dogs exploring this stretch of mile 242.
Teachers: Annette, Sally, Bobbie, Bill, Maureen
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
We found some type of plant tuber, four total, North of D Sands. Graffiti was noted on a boulder north of D Sands. Of the dead birds, 51 were south of D Sands, and 10 were north. Our team collected a 3-gallon bag of marine debris.
Maureen Foelkl
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
Was a sunny day at the beach today.
Bluewater
