Mile 242 Report
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
December 4, 2024
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.
Report Details
An unseasonably warm and sunny day along the Oregon Coast illuminated Lincoln City. The elevated temperatures, coupled with clear skies, invited only a few individuals at high tide to enjoy this late autumn day. Mile 242 provided a unique opportunity to observe coastal dynamics under atypical thermal and light conditions. 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. We collected 5.5 pounds of litter, including a variety of plastic, cigarette butts, and used fireworks. The 15th Street vehicle access point needs stabilizing or redistributing of the sand to prevent vehicles from becoming stranded on the beach and to ensure safe and reliable passage back to the street.
Conditions
Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 8.9 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 45. Number of dogs: 17. Walking or running: 42. Sitting: 45. Surfing: 1. Other Activities: Some activities we observed were three people sitting in their car, three people reading, one person with a kite hoping for the wind, a veteran with a single leg picking up trash, a visitor collecting trash, a family feeding gulls, families with strollers and young children.. The team noticed E-Bike tire tracks in the sand south of D River.
Concerns
Climbing bluffs/seastacks
Apparent violations: We noted that a group of 15 people (children and adults) were feeding seagulls south of D River. Tracks going up the bluff seemed to be higher in foot traffic, and new graffiti was on the bluff. The 15th Street beach access sign was turned to face the ocean so drivers could not read the regulations for vehicles on the sand..Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs
Vehicles
Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 7.
Notable Wildlife
Numerous gulls were searching for food in D River. The noticed 30 sandpipers in a group basking in the sun on a rock.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 15. No leg bands were noted on any species. There was one Cassin's auklet and four gulls. We were not sure of the other species.
Stranded Marine Mammals
The team did note that there is a dead sea lion that has been in the location for a short period of time. There were plenty of flies on the carcass. The shoulder blade was removed and cleaned exposing only the bone. Some rear bones (tail) were exposed.
Driftline Content
Sea jellies were noted.
Man-made Modifications
Stream modification. There was a water leak, and the Lincoln City truck was repairing the problem. This was located on Canyon Drive, with beach access. The heavy flow of the water changed the course of the creek, including heavy erosion with a meandering pathway to the ocean,
Natural Changes
Our team noticed that all the berms had disappeared since our last visit. The shoreline seemed flat from the wrackline to the bluffs.
The 15th Street vehicle entrance on the beach.
Surfer enjoying the day.
Sand pipers snoozing.
Many jellies washed ashore.
Family feeding bread to gulls.
Dead sealion.
A warm, calm day at the coast.
A gull enjoying breakfast in D River.
One of 15 dead sea birds.
New graffiti on the sandstone cliffs south of D River.
Change in stream direction due to a water leak.
The area of constant observation. The sand shelf below the cliff is now flat.
Report Images
Teachers Annette, Bill, Sally, Bobbie, and Maureen
CoastWatcher
All Mile 242 Reports
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
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
The coastal environment was uniquely serene due to unseasonably warm weather and a low number of visitors, creating an ideal setting for observation. The team noticed new signage near the south end of our mile reminding visitors not to climb the bluff. This time of year lacks diversity within the tidepools and less foot traffic among the rocks.
Teachers Annette, Bill, Sally, Bobbie, and Maureen
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
Walking along mile 242 natural wonders caught our eyes.
Teachers Maureen, Annette, Bobbie, Sally
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Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
Urban travelers flocked to the coast to escape the sweltering heat and enjoy the cool sea breezes.
Teachers Bill, Bobbie, Sally, Annette, and Maureen
Mile 242
Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
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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Lincoln City, D River SW, Devils Lake SP, Oceanlake
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