Mile 242 Report
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
August 11, 2025
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.
Report Details
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. Unfortunately, the influx brought a noticeable impact: six pounds of litter were collected, including numerous filled dog waste bags and abandoned clothing. New graffiti appeared on the cement walls and even on the fragile sandstone cliffs south of D River. Along the wrackline, hundreds of small dead Ammodytes and a variety of sea jellies were observed, highlighting both the richness and vulnerability of this coastal ecosystem.
Conditions
Temperature: 69 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: -0.2 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 300. Number of dogs: 67. Walking or running: 300. Sitting: 300. Tidepooling: 69. Other Activities: Observable activities included playing in the waves, digging in the sand, walking, running, 7 fat tire bikes, a wooden block active game, 5 kites flying, 3 tents, an umbrella structure, lots of beach chairs, and towels for sunbathing.. The mild, sunny day brought out many people to enjoy the day. There were a large number of dogs that were brought by their parents.
Concerns
Litter
Apparent violations: Note: No new footprints were observed on the sandstone bluffs. One new carving was noticed on the bluff south of D River..Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs
Notable Wildlife
The team observed an osprey with a fish breakfast, over 100 gulls (representing a variety of species), and numerous tidepool species, as noted in the spreadsheet and documented in the photos.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 4. All birds were Common Mures, and there were no legbands noted.
Stranded Marine Mammals
N/A
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Unusual concentration. Along the wrackline, we observed hundreds of sea jellies (various species) and at least a hundred dead Ammodytes.
Driftline Content
Sea jellies and fish were all north of D River.
New Development
N/A
Man-made Modifications
The D River is currently experiencing unusually low water levels, accompanied by a significant accumulation of algae. Its flow pattern has shifted noticeably, giving the appearance of a small, stagnant lake rather than its typical meandering river form. Erosion is evident along the bluffs, where individuals have carved into the sandstone, contributing to the degradation of the landscape. Due to rainfall earlier in the week, no footprints were visible in the area.
Natural Changes
N/A
Organisms in tidepool location. D
Unknown red species in tidepool area.
Diverse species in tidepool location
issolved oxygen level was 4 mg/L.
Counting species in our tidepool area.
Inches of sand coving the steps to the beach.
Freshwater lake/collection area at the end of the mile. Dissolved oxygen level was 8mg/L.
Osprey with a fish lunch heading inland.
Wrackline, Victoria's Crystal Jelly
Hundreds of Ammodytes fishes dead on the wrackline.
More dead species of fishes on the wrackline.
Our sandstone shelf over time.
Report Images
Teachers Sally, Laurie, Bobby, Annette, and Maueen
CoastWatcher
All Mile 242 Reports
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
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
It was a cold, breezy day along the shoreline, with low foot traffic and only a few vehicles spotted on the beach.
Teachers Bobbie, Sally, Annette and Maureen
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
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.
Teachers Annette, Bill, Sally, Bobbie, Maureen and Emily, Sascha, and Joellen from Bedrock Theater
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
Two different violations: 1. 2.
Garretra
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
An unseasonably warm and sunny day along the Oregon Coast illuminated Lincoln City. Our team observed more people ignoring the signage to stay away from sensitive areas of erosion from the evidence of foot traffic and new graffiti on the sandstone cliffs.
Teachers Annette, Bill, Sally, Bobbie, and Maureen