Mile 261 Report
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
December 13, 2020
Evidence of increased erosion of cape from November visit, erosion on all areas of cape, large trees dead, one toppled over edge of dune, evidence of recent slides on rock faces, evidence of erosion gullies and sliding of vegetation areas.
Report Details
Evidence of increased erosion of cape from November visit, erosion on all areas of cape, large trees dead, one toppled over edge of dune, evidence of recent slides on rock faces, evidence of erosion gullies and sliding of vegetation areas.
Conditions
Temperature: 45 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SE. Tide Level: 9.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 8. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 4. Surfing: 3. At 9:30 few people on this mile. At 11:30, walkers 12, observers standing at parking lot edge 25, people climbing on dune/rocks 5, dogs 9. No vehicles.
Concerns
Climbing bluffs/seastacks, People/dogs/vehicles in closure areas
Notable Wildlife
2 seals in waves, 28 turnstones on rocks, 3 bald eagles perching and soaring over cape, 6 black skaters on surf
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). Many small pieces of plastic items, some pieces of rope
Man-made Modifications
New concrete blocks on south edge of boat ramp
Natural Changes
Landslides/major boulder falls, Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Erosion of vegetated foredune, Visible retreat of solid bluff. Waves pounding from south side of cape creating thunderous noise on the opposite side. Suspect increased cave erosion and potential break through in near future.
All Mile 261 Reports
Mile 261
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
Nice, sunny 48 degrees 5 mph wind from the NE.
Eric Matthews
Mile 261
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
Nice sunny 55 degree day, calm if any winds.
Eric Matthews
Mile 261
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
66 degrees, sunny, calm wind. 4 beached birds found.
Eric Matthews
Mile 261
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
The beach looked great as far as litter, and erosion.
Eric Matthews
Mile 261
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
Wonderful sunny day 65. degrees. New construction in the State parking lot at the north end of the mile. Found 1 beached (dead) bird; a Brown Pelican in the high bare zone, middle of the Mile.
Eric Matthews
Mile 261
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
A rather nice day, 55 degrees, clouds and no wind.
Eric Matthews
Mile 261
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
Wow what a change from last month! State Parking lot is closed for a couple of months while construction on the new parking lot and restroom continues. The tree ( object I show as a measure of sand deposition ) is really getting uncovered! Survey also for COASST, no beached birds or mammals found. The beach access point at the north end of Bob Straub State Park is still unusable for vehicles, due to a massive erosion event and 5 foot sharp edges to the beach.
Eric Matthews