Mile 242 Report
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
May 14, 2026
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.
Report Details
CoastWatch volunteers develop highly trained observational skills. Several abandoned fire pits were found containing trash, sunglasses, clothing, rugs, and children’s toys. One unexpected discovery reinforced that Finders Keepers glass floats are hidden in public beach areas with heavy visitor traffic, never in grassy areas or on coastal hillsides. Team member Bill located one of these hidden treasures, a glass float. Our monitored mile has changed dramatically as shifting sands have buried portions of the tidepool habitat. New sand shelves have formed near Milepost 44. Four manmade fort structures were also observed, one of which clearly showed that vegetation had been pulled from the sandstone cliffs for construction. Large driftwood logs have shifted closer to the ocean and may eventually be reclaimed by the sea during a future storm event. Construction of the new visitor center is also underway near our monitoring area. It will be interesting to observe how increased visitation and changes in infrastructure may influence the character of our mile and future CoastWatch observations over time.
Conditions
Temperature: 54 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 6.0 feet.
Activities
Types of Activities: Walking/Running, Tidepooling, Other - see below.
Number of people: 19. Number of dogs: 25.
Other Activities: Kite Flying, remote control car racing, and jet skiing. We observed a person sitting in the carved chair on the sandstone cliff south of D River. A team member found glass float 2222 as we entered our mile. Our team collected nurdles and tagged dead birds for the COASST program.. Building of fire pits using large driftwood logs. Unsafe use of firewood, along with human debris, was left behind. We noticed more vaping and cannabis plastic containers..
Concerns
Litter, Climbing bluffs/seastacks
Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs
Notable Wildlife
Whimbrels, pelicans, Blue Herons, mallards, and gulls. We noticed bumble bees within the wildflowers.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 4. Dead birds were found and tagged. They were a commerant, a California Gull, Pelican, and a scoter.
Stranded Marine Mammals
N/A
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
N/A
Wrackline Content
Small rocks, Wood pieces, Marine debris. N/A
Man-made Modifications
Dune modification/removal, Beachgrass planting or removal. We noticed 4 people made forts from driftwood. One of the forts used beachgrass, which was pulled out by the roots to construct one side of the structure.
Natural Changes
Landslides/major boulder falls. Recent collapse of the bluff south of the D River.
Float 2222 found by team member Bill
New Lincoln City Visitor Center is under construction.
Person made fort from driftwood. Note beach grass was pulled up to construction side of structure.
Jet ski heading north of D River.
Blue Heron in D River.
Erosion of sand on D River.
Chair carved from the cliffs and we watch it erode overtime.
New deeply carved letters in sandstone cliff south of D River.
Hole left after beach grass was pulled for tent structure.
Whimbels
New trail leading to home with gated fence. Located south of D River.
Watching this area monthly. We noticed a rebuilding of the sand shelf below the cliff area.
Report Images
Teachers Annette, Bobbie, Sally, Bill, and Maureen
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