Mile 261 Report
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
March 10, 2023
The bluff below the condos north of the ramp, The Headlands resort, shows increases sluffing.
Report Details
The bluff below the condos north of the ramp, The Headlands resort, shows increases sluffing. Remnants of stairs are completely missing, a new 3-4' drop off or scarp, along the edge of their property shows the grass area is receding. The dune from the ramp to the south has receded. The sink hole is attracting a lot of visitors, most who stay behind the caution ropes. There were more mussel shells on the beach than I have seen in the past. Curious if the recent cold and snow may have affected the mussels exposed to the cold during a low tide.
Conditions
Temperature: 42 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 4.5 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 35. Number of dogs: 4. Walking or running: 21. Tidepooling: 4. Surfing: 2. Other Activities: 0n Dune 8. Vehicles access the beach at a steep sand area south of the cape. Driving north to cape is prohibited. However vehicles often have difficulty attempting to climb up the access area then will drive on the prohibited area to the cape to use the ramp.
Concerns
Apparent violations: Vehicle driving on beach in restricted area. Drove up ramp on sidewalk to bypass the ramp gate..
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 8. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 1. Cars/trucks on beach, prohibited: 1.
Driftline Content
Shells, Wood pieces, Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea). The beach had minimal garbage, 2 soda cans, one dog poop bag, two plastic bottles. One very creative log fort!
Natural Changes
Erosion of vegetated foredune, Evidence of wave overtopping. Drainage stream at the end of the boat ramp. Sink hole on top of cape showed some recent sluffing, not sure if it is deeper. Fenced area around sink hole and cliffs are still intact. However shifting sand covering the area has effectively lowered the height of the fences and foot tracks frequently cross over. fences
Actions & Comments
A ranger was being filmed by the Tillamook Sentinal paper. Discussed with ranger about the changes and thanked him for promoting safety when visiting the cape, especially after the most recent death.
Foredune erosion just south of Pelican Pub
Erosion at Headlands Resort
Sink hole on cape Kiwanda
Mussel shells on beach,
Report Images
beattieb
CoastWatcher
All Mile 261 Reports
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
