Mile 261 - Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda - May 17, 2023 | Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition

Report Details

Foredune increasing south of boat ramp, foredune below condominiums continues to sluffing and expose riprap rocks below. Cape continues to erode exposing more sandstone, cracks, and potential cave collapse. The state parks are monitoring and fencing off areas of concern. Some fencing has been taken down by visitors(?) seemingly to access the sink hole area.

Conditions

Temperature: 62 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 5.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 30. Number of dogs: 12. Walking or running: 10. Playing in sand: 3. Sitting: 4. Tidepooling: 3. Other Activities: Kite flying 2, climbing dune 5, launching boat 3,. Parking lot construction has part of lot fenced off for construction vehicles and equipment.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 15. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 4.

Notable Wildlife

Orange crowned warbler singing in trees at top of cape, pigeon guillemot on cliffs, violet green swallows near cape.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt). high tide line along the mile has many dead flying ants creating a dark line.

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune, Visible retreat of solid bluff. Erosion continues exposing more sandstone and cracks in all sections of cape, summer wind and tides are building the foredune south of ramp. North of ramp toward cape sand bluff continues sluffing off. Two sink holes have emerged this spring on top of cape. The fenced-off area has been extended south so that the sink holes are not accessible or visible.

Actions & Comments

The shore line was mostly garbage free. Locals are removing garbage.

Report Images

Top of Cape Kiwanda looking north toward fenced areas, note fence to the right has been taken down

South of boat ramp showing dune rebuilding. Monday post weekend crowds

Report Images

beattieb

CoastWatcher

All Mile 261 Reports

Date

Showing 8 of 49 reports

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