Mile 259 Report
Nestucca Spit State Park, Kiwanda Beach
October 30, 2018
The beach was not as busy as I thought it would be on a pleasant Fall weekend--only 6 people on the beach.
Report Details
The beach was not as busy as I thought it would be on a pleasant Fall weekend--only 6 people on the beach. But, although it was sunny just off the beach, the fog over the beach itself may have cut down on beach activity. My biggest surprise was a noticeable buidup of sand since my last visit, which was, admittedly, several years ago. No interesting photos to post--too foggy.2
Conditions
Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Foggy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: W. Tide Level: 4.5 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 6. Number of dogs: 4. Walking or running: 4. Other Activities: 2 driving (way too fast); horse tracks were visible (quite a usual sight on this stretch of beach).. The SUV was driving too fast--especially considering the fog.
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 6. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 1.
Notable Wildlife
Nothing unusual: 2 small flocks of sanderlings at water's edge, 1 western gull.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 1. juvenile common murre
Driftline Content
Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces. Driftline was hardly noticeable.
Man-made Modifications
No modifications noted; most of the mile is within Bob Straub State Park.
Natural Changes
I had not been on the beach for some time. Since my last visit several years back, there has been quite a lot of sand buildup and also a number of what appear to be rip current swales cutting into the main beach line. It was difficult walking on the upper part of the beach because of soft sand.
Actions & Comments
No actions needed.
powston1
CoastWatcher
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Mile 259
Nestucca Spit State Park, Kiwanda Beach
Students and educators from the Jane Goodall Environmental Middle School (Salem) were joined by CoastWatch Programs Manager Jesse Jones on their mile walk.
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extreme cliff/dune erosion from recent King Tides
Linda Fink
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It was a sunny and beautiful day at the coast.
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We were not able to walk the entire mile, but we could see down the beach.
Mike Weddle
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This was the first trip for JGEMS for this beach with Jesse Jones from Coastwatch and Patricia McBride from the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
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Nestucca Spit State Park, Kiwanda Beach
Overall a very clean and beautiful coastline.
Polaris
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Nestucca Spit State Park, Kiwanda Beach
It was a pleasant, sunny day with well-separated groups of people--including young children--just relaxing on the beach.
powston1