Mile 242 Report
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
June 19, 2026
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.
Report Details
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. Rachel Freeman, Oregon Shores Education Manager, joined representatives from Lincoln City to host an investigative and educational event that drew a large crowd of visitors eager to learn about the coastal environment. 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. Volunteers collected nearly 14 pounds of debris, including discarded clothing, abandoned tents, and campfire food wrappers, helping to leave the beach cleaner for both wildlife and future visitors. As the fog lifted, the coastline came alive with activity. Ducklings could be seen swimming closely behind their mother in search of food, providing a memorable wildlife encounter on an already eventful day along the coast.
Conditions
Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Foggy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: -1.3 feet.
Activities
Types of Activities: Sitting, Walking/Running, Painting/Photography, Tidepooling.
Number of people: 98. Number of dogs: 22.
Other Activities: Kite flying, reading, sunbathing, playing in the surf..
Concerns
Litter, Climbing bluffs/seastacks
Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs
Notable Wildlife
Seagulls, sea stars, mussels, sculpin
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 2. We don't know the species, but a resident shared a leg band, JA64, that was once on the bird. One gull was found.
Stranded Marine Mammals
N/A
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
N/A
Wrackline Content
Small rocks, Shells, Wood pieces.
Man-made Modifications
Vandalism. Deep carved graffiti into sandstone cliffs south of the D River. Spray painting on the seawall below motels south of D River.
Natural Changes
Sand deposition. Sand deposition along the water edge near the 15th Street entrance
Celebrity Rachel Freeman
Rachel with team members
Tidepool organisms
Large groups gather at the tidepools
New sign in place south of D River
Over 14 pounds of litter collected
Visitor center continues to develop
Carve sandstone chair
Heavy foot traffic up a sandstone cliff
Deep carving into sandstone cliffs
Our tidepool area still covered in sand.
Sandstone area watch over time
Report Images
Teachers Bobbie, Annette, Bill, Sally, and Maureen
CoastWatcher
All Mile 242 Reports
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
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