Mile 247 Report
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
December 24, 2020
This survey was actually over two days, Dec.
Report Details
This survey was actually over two days, Dec. 23 and 24, 2020. The weather was very nice both days, although a bit windy on Dec. 24. Owing to the remote location of this beach, there was very little human activity. We only saw a three person family with a young child and another adult with a dog, and only on the first day. Everyone was acting responsibly. Our main observation, and this was primarily concentrated on the northernmost end of the beach, was a considerable amount of human debris, which we gathered up and took away. This continues to be a beautiful beach, in very good condition, but it does receive debris from primarily ocean and river traffic.
Conditions
Temperature: 50 F. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light.
Human Activities
Number of people: 4. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 4.
Concerns
Apparent violations: None.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 3.
Driftline Content
Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). Various pieces of plastic, including pieces of broken patio furniture, water bottles (two filled with urine, probably tossed from a fishing boat-pretty disgusting), plastic toys, two boat paddles, a few pierces of plywood (painted, so we removed them), and assorted cellophane wrappers and pieces of plastic- most concentrated at the north end of the mile, closer to the Salmon River. We suspect some or most of this debris was associated with boating.
New Development
None
Man-made Modifications
None
Natural Changes
Near the south end of the beach there is usually modest erosion, associated with landslides and water run-off. Nothing out of the ordinary was present this time around.
Report Images
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CoastWatcher
All Mile 247 Reports
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
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
Sitka Team members and Sitka Center artists in residence accessed Mile 247 via kayak, walked south taking observations of the beach mile and met Camp Westwind Team members near Mile 247's rocky habitat.
Nancy Newman
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
This CoastWatch survey was conducted by Sitka Team member Nancy and 4 members of the Sitka Center 2024 resident cohort: Thomas, Erin, Christian and Fran.
Nancy Newman
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
Sitka Center for Art and Ecology team members Nancy and Alison conducted this CoastWatch survey.
Nancy Newman
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
During this survey there were no visible Ochre Sea Stars in the rocky habitat at the south end of Mile 247.
Nancy Newman
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
As stated above, notable wildlife on the estuary side of the sand spit included 2 herons, 1 harbor seal and many small (approx.
SitkaCenter21
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
The group of 6 survey participants consisted of Sitka Center & CoastWatch staff, and community members.
SitkaCenter21
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
The site was accessed by kayak and the survey team walked around the north end of the sand spit to the ocean side of the monitored mile.
SitkaCenter21