Mile 274 - Cape Lookout SP - December 19, 2015 | Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition

Report Details

It was a beautiful morning to be on the beach - sunny but brisk. This report is the first to be made after the storms that hit the coast line in mid-December. A lot of debris have washed up along the high tide line including plastic containers, rope, and a crab pot. (See photos) The sand dunes along the north shore of this mile have eroded significantly. Dunes that were once all sand have eroded back to the rock base. The access road from the campground to the beach has washed out. (See photos) The bluffs along the south end of the mile have collapsed in places. A major collapse occurred just south of the creek that crosses the beach. Trees that were on the bluff have fallen across the mouth of the stream. The receding bluff has also caused the park to remove one of the picnic tables. Further south there is also evidence of places where the bluff has collapsed. (See photos)

Conditions

Temperature: 40 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 1.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 18. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 18. Photography: 1.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 10.

Notable Wildlife

Gulls

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.).

Natural Changes

Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Erosion of vegetated foredune, Visible retreat of solid bluff, Evidence of wave overtopping. Landslides/major boulder falls