Mile 261 Report
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
December 23, 2009
A very nice winter day on the beach.
Report Details
A very nice winter day on the beach. A good deal of the summer sand remains on this beach. Noted that on the Cape the large sea cave continues to increase in size and a large rock on the very north end of our mile has lost some top and side in addition to a crack opening which allows the waves to crash through.A one time footings for either an observation tower or gun placement were placed on top of Cape Kiawada. all signs of the tower/gun emplacement have long disappeared but the footings remain. The footing are slowing sliding down a steep sand bowl as the sand moves away from them. One footing is now almost at the bottom of the sand bowl while one is just starting its slide. It has moved about 6 feet in the last year.
Conditions
Temperature: 40 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SE. Tide Level: 6.5 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 30. Number of dogs: 5. Walking or running: 24. Sitting: 6. Photography: 1. Tidepooling: 4. Surfing: 12. Other Activities: driving 3 autos.
Concerns
People/dogs/vehicles in closure areas
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 24. RVs/Buses parking: 1. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 3.
Notable Wildlife
6 surf scooters 12 California gulls
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 3. 2 Brown Pelicans 1 Norther fulmar
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. one wood pallet in good condition
Natural Changes
Major cracks appearing in bluffs.
Actions & Comments
No. Just comment that a sea cave on the north side of Cape Kiawanda is increasing in size. There is a rock on the very North side of our mile which has had a major crack open and the waves are rushing through.
Rouses
CoastWatcher
All Mile 261 Reports
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
Mile 261
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
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