Mile 242 Report
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
April 12, 2025
It was a breezy, sunny day on the coast with the early spring chill still in the air. In our last report, a team member uncovered something unexpected: a message in a bottle. As we finished our mile, we are reminded how much the ocean holds memories, messages, and meaning to the visitors.
Report Details
It was a breezy, sunny day on the coast with the early spring chill still in the air. We were joined by enthusiastic guests from the Bedrock Theater, who came to walk our mile with us. A passionate science sorority group from OSU brought energy and curiosity to the shoreline. While Mile 242 is a pleasant walk, we couldn’t help but notice some concerns—specifically, many filled dog waste bags left behind on the beach. Our team collected 3.5 pounds of trash along the way. In our last report, a team member uncovered something unexpected: a message in a bottle. We promised to reveal in this report. The note inside read, “I know you are at peace now, Brother. I just wish I got to play more games with you.” As we finished our mile, we are reminded how much the ocean holds memories, messages, and meaning to the visitors.
Conditions
Temperature: 58 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Tide Level: 6.9 feet.
Activities
Number of people: 250. Number of dogs: 35. Walking or running: 250. Sitting: 250. Tidepooling: 35.
Other Activities: The activities noted were golfing kite flying Environmental Sorority Gathering from OSU Digging and sandcastle building Looking for floats Rockhounds. Many families were enjoying their time exploring. Most dogs were on leashes as they took their pet parents for a walk..
Concerns
Apparent violations: Cars driving beyond the posted signage,
Fresh footsteps on the bluffs.
New graffiti on the rocks by D River.
Continued filled dog feces bag left on the beach..
Vehicles
Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 46. Cars/trucks on beach, prohibited: 2.
Notable Wildlife
The team observed crowing bathing in D River, hermit crabs, sculpin, seagulls, Calidris Sandpipers, and beach hoppers.
Beached Birds
N/A
Stranded Marine Mammals
N/A
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
On the wrack line were sea jellies and Velella velellas.
Wrackline Content
The wrack line had very natural items or human-made content.
New Development
N/A
Man-made Modifications
N/A
Natural Changes
Visible retreat of solid bluff. Erosion of the bluffs with flowing seepage between sandstone layers on bluff.
Welcoming the team from the Bedrock Theater.
Exploring the tidepools.
OSU Science Sorority Group
Sea anemone
Creative shelter building from driftwood.
Visible seepage from the bluff.
Calidrus Sandpipers
Continued erosion on sandstone bluff.
Busy Mile 242 day.
New graffiti on boulders by D River.
Continued observation of bluff over time.
Large holes dug on the beach.
Report Images
Teachers Annette, Bill, Sally, Bobbie, Maureen and Emily, Sascha, and Joellen from Bedrock Theater
CoastWatcher
All Mile 242 Reports
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
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
Despite the foggy, cold, and windy conditions, a zero tide offered a unique opportunity to observe the dynamic changes along the shoreline.
Teachers Bobbie, Sally, Annette, and Maureen
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
Today’s coastal data collection was conducted under ideal early summer conditions, with mild temperatures, clear skies, and a steady marine breeze that kept the environment comfortable throughout the day.
Teachers Annette, Bobbie, Bill, Sally, Tracy, and Maureen