Mile 289 - Kincheloe Point, South Jetty Tillamook River - December 16, 2008

Report Details

It was cold and clear on mile 289. The ocean was calm. A few days earlier waves of 20 feet plus were breaking all across the jaws and into the channel. Last week's storms and high tides deposited a huge amount of wood on mile 289, with the area near the jetty receiving the most. But dune erosion is not an issue. The sand buillds up during the summer, and the trend is for the beach on mile 289 to get wider. The wreck of the crabber Network and the loss of 2 more lives continues the terrible reputation of the Tillamook Bay entrance. It can be improved, if the political will is present to spend money on jetty and channel improvements.

Conditions

Temperature: 30 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SE. Tide Level: 4.0 feet.

Concerns

Apparent violations: none.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 1.

Notable Wildlife

didn't see many shorebirds

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 2. common murre and left wing of a western gull

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. noticed many fresh and complete gaper (blue) clam shells all along the surf line. Large mussel shells found also, but fewer in number

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. plastic bottles and containers. most were higher on beach following the recent storms and high tides

Natural Changes

large surf didn't reach the foredune on 289

Actions & Comments

The biggest news this season is the loss of another crab boat, the Network, at the Tillamook jetties. Huge waves flipped the vessel. The boat crashed into the north jetty and broke up. 2 lives were lost. We did find small pieces of the Network on the beach and on the bay side of mile 289. The pieces were bulkhead pieces, cabinets, and a table. The entrance to Tillamook Bay can be made safer by spending money on infrastructure upgrades - dredging the channel and rebuilding the jetties to their original height and length. Pieces of earlier wrecks are still visible on 289 also.