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.

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All Mile 261 Reports

Showing 8 of 55 reports

Mile 261

Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda

October 22, 2024

Nice sunny 55 degree day, calm if any winds.

Eric Matthews

Mile 261

Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda

September 23, 2024

66 degrees, sunny, calm wind. 4 beached birds found.

Eric Matthews

Mile 261

Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda

August 20, 2024

The beach looked great as far as litter, and erosion.

Eric Matthews

Mile 261

Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda

July 10, 2024

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

June 17, 2024

A rather nice day, 55 degrees, clouds and no wind.

Eric Matthews

Mile 261

Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda

May 27, 2024

Tide very low at 1.

MatthewsE

Mile 261

Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda

March 9, 2024

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

Mile 261

Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda

February 7, 2024

A lot of winter damage to the foredunes noted. Construction workers working on the new boat ramp and replacing and relocating some drainage pipes. Photos showing bulldozer shift sand by residence. 1 dory and 3 fishermen getting picked up

Eric Matthews