Mile 247 Report
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
April 26, 2024
Survey participants accessed Mile 247 - Salmon River spit via kayaking/paddle boarding across the Salmon River Estuary.
Report Details
Survey participants accessed Mile 247 - Salmon River spit via kayaking/paddle boarding across the Salmon River Estuary. Weather was cool, cloudy and misty. Participants noted a large concentration of driftwood at the northernmost point of the sand spit before walking south to the intertidal rocky habitat at the southernmost point of Mile 247. Near the rocky habitat participants noted 2 canadian geese as well as a large number of invertebrates (listed in pervious fields). Due to sand and water levels the inner area of the rocky habitat (past the "keyhole" entrance in the rock face) could not be accessed for a sea star survey, no sea stars were observed during this survey in the outer, more accessible area of the rocky habitat. Recent high tides had exposed some of the rocky areas on the north side of the rocky habitat that were covered by sand during the previous survey. Survey participants collected debris from the whole beach on the walk back north. An MDMAP survey was not conducted during this CoastWatch survey due to a lack of debris within the Mile 247 marine debris survey site. When returning across the estuary participants noted two ducks and one bald eagle swimming and resting at the edges of the water.
Conditions
Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Foggy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: -0.29 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 2. Walking or running: 2. Sitting: 2. Tidepooling: 2. Kayaking: 2. Other Activities: Driftwood fort near entrance to Camp Westwind, presumably created by summer camp attendees enjoying the beach.. N/A
Notable Wildlife
2 ducks, 1 bald eagle and 2 canadian geese. Notable invertebrates in large numbers: giant green anemones, (many) aggregating anemones, california mussels, shield limpets, thatched barnacles, northern striped dogwinkles, sharp acorn barnacles and gooseneck barnacles.
Beached Birds
N/A
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
1 moon jellyfish
Driftline Content
Many of the hard plastics collected were very small (under 5 centimeters). There was a large concentration of driftwood the the northernmost point of the sand spit, perhaps from recent high tides.
New Development
N/A
Man-made Modifications
N/A
Natural Changes
N/A












Report Images
All Mile 247 Reports
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
Overall, the beach was gorgeous and appeared to be swept clean by recent high tides.
Joan Mahler
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
A survey team of Sitka Center staff and residency program participants (Jake, Nancy, Sharita and GraySea) accessed Mile 247 - Salmon River Spit by crossing the Salmon River Estuary via kayak and paddleboard.
Sitka Center
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
A survey team of Sitka Center staff and local volunteers (GraySea, Jake, Nancy, Laurie and Bill) accessed the sand spit via kayak and canoe. The survey team accessed the south side of the 'keyhole' area in the rocky intertidal habitat (southernmost portion of Mile 247) and conducted a 15 minute timed count of ochre sea stars to submit to the MARINe program.
Sitka Team and Community Members
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
A survey team of Sitka Center staff and local volunteers (Chris, Nancy, Lilly and Melissa) accessed the sand spit via kayak and canoe.
Sitka Center Team and Community Members
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
Trash and dead seal
Joan Mahler
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
A survey team of two Sitka Center team members, Jake and Nancy, accessed Mile 247 - Salmon River Spit by crossing the Salmon River Estuary via kayak and paddleboard. During this survey, the survey team was able to access the inner area of the rocky habitat and do a 15 minute timed sea star count in the two sea star monitoring sites. As the survey team walked back north noteable debris included a large tangle of ships rope, noteable wrack line content included a high concentration of giant mole crab casings/moults and small pieces of hard plastics.
Nancy Newman
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
Survey participants accessed Mile 247 - Salmon River spit via kayaking/paddle boarding across the Salmon River Estuary.
Mile 247 - Salmon River Spit
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
Sitka Center team member Nancy and Sitka Center artists in residence Evan, Rose, Katrina, Tim, Maria and M accessed the site via kayak.
Nancy Newman