Mile 260 - Kiwanda Beach west of Pacific City and Nestucca River - 08/21/2024

Report Details

Dunes varied greatly from 15 feet tall to 30 feet tall. From the dunes the beach becomes flat until 25 yards from the ocean where the sand drops again and becomes sloping into the sea. There is a small area inland about halfway down the mile where water creates a "river" when the tide is high. It had a little water in it, but was draining. Tons of brown pelicans. The majority of them were flying SE, traveling down the water before veering over the beach and heading east. I've noticed this spot seems to have them fly over often. Perhaps heading to the Nestucca.

Conditions

Temperature: 63 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Tide Level: 6 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 116. Number of dogs: 6. Walking or running: 24. Sitting: 92. Fishing: 2. Other Activities: A lot of families enjoying the coast, flying kites, playing in the sand. Some people were swimming, probably around 7. Three were boarding and the rest were jumping in the waves. There were many people between the start of the mile and the vehicle access at the end of Pacific Avenue. After that the number of people dramatically decreased. One kid was fishing and one adult was fishing. Vehicle tracks were on the beach south of the sign (where vehicles are allowed) and also a motorcyclist was driving down the beach, heading south.. Only saw one active motorcyclist in an area where it is allowed.

Concerns

Litter

Apparent violations: Trash and litter were along the tide line, but nothing active happening..

Vehicles

ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed: 1.

Notable Wildlife

at least 50 Brown Pelicans flying offshore or over the area. Cormorants, was able to confirm double-crested, but not all of them were identifiable. Seagulls species unknown, 1 Pacific Loon fishing close to the shore. 1 seal heading at a good pace south offshore. Three sandpipers species unknown. Did not notice any sand fleas. Lots of dead jellyfish at the tide line, too many to count.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 11. None were banded that I saw. 10 dead Common Murres, 1 dead seagull (species unknown). 9 murres and seagull were dead and up higher in the dry sand. 1 murre was actively struggling and being harassed by a seagull closer to the waterline.

Driftline Content

Plastics, some well worn, other fresh. Some socks and clothing. Small pieces of rope (light blue). Lots of jellyfish it was difficult to tell if the smaller jellies were pieces of a jellyfish or small ones. Most were clear while a few of the larger ones were orange. Also plenty of tangled kelp in the wrack line.

Man-made Modifications

Dune modification/removal. I do not know if the dunes have been modified or if there are any rules against it in this area. I'll include photos where it looks like there have been sections of beach grass removed (south of Pacific Avenue), but again I don't know if this is an actual issue.

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune. As you head south you can see the dunes protecting the homes behind them have exposed the roots of the vegetation at the very top of the dune and the sand is eroding below it.

Report Images

Mile 260 Looking South

Shorepine Beach Access and Dune

Deceased Common Murre

Wrack Line

Looking south, tide-made "river" retreating with the tide

Large jellyfish beached

Pacific Avenue vehicle access

Vegetation removed for views or beach access - unclear.

Mile 260 looking North

Report Images

Kelly Carmody

CoastWatcher

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