Mile 289 - Kincheloe Point, South Jetty Tillamook River - December 13, 2016

Report Details

Since the fall equinox, an unusual visitor was stranded on Mile 289. This buoy arrived in October, and the Coast Guard just retrieved it on Monday Dec 12. There was a buoy tender working near the entrance in October. I surmise that it was accidentally dropped off the boat in an attempt to switch out the entrance buoy. There are 2 off shore buoys at the entrance of Tillamook Bay, and at no time were any of the 2 off station. Anyway it is now back where it belongs.

Conditions

Temperature: 40 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.

Human Activities

Did see a person with 4 dogs walking on the spit closer to Cape Meares and the parking areas. The end of the long spit gets few visitors in winter.

Concerns

Apparent violations: none.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 5.

Notable Wildlife

Only a handful of lone gulls were standing at the surf's edge.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Shells, Wood pieces, Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). shells were mostly bay clams and some razors. Not many crab shells were present. It was cleaner than usual. The few bottles were plastic except for 1 made of glass . A few large styrofoam chunks and a large plastic fishing float were the largest items.

New Development

none

Man-made Modifications

none

Natural Changes

large waves and high tides have flatten out the lower beach. Dunes developed in this area over the summer and fall. The upper beach area continues to build up.