July 14, 2019

North of the Nehalem River mile 296 is accessible only by an ~2 mile beach walk (or bicycle or horse) or a similar distance on a sandy track running down the center of the spit.

Report Details

North of the Nehalem River mile 296 is accessible only by an ~2 mile beach walk (or bicycle or horse) or a similar distance on a sandy track running down the center of the spit. Human use is relatively low, moreso during Plover season when bicycles are banned on the beach. Most notable feature was the high number of dead invertabrates in the wrack line. South of the Nehalem River there was much higher human use and impact, including debris (much of it fireworks) and drift log fires. The photos are quadriped printsfrom the Snowy Plover protected area north of the Nehalem River that did not correlate with human footprints. Possibly a coyote?

Conditions

Temperature: 68 F. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 3.0 feet.

Human Activities

Walking or running: 2. Playing in surf: 1. Sitting: 12. Other Activities: This mile comprises two distinct areas. From the mouth of the Nehalem River north is lightly visited, other than horse tours. I viewed a tour of ~8 riders at the north side of the Nehalem River, and two cyclists who were pushing their bikes, either observing the prohibition on bicycles during Snowy Plover season, or because the tide was too high. On the south side of the Nehalem River there is much easier public access. That is where the public was sitting on the sand or wading near shore.. Two bicyclists on beach (wet sand) within Snowy Plover restricted area. They were pushing their bikes when I saw them. As they proceeded north it may have become easier to ride on the sand, but I wasn't able to observe whether they rode, or continued to walk their bikes. I'm not sure if the rules allow walking a bicycle on wet sand within Snowy Plover areas.

Concerns

Fire, Litter, People/dogs/vehicles in closure areas

Apparent violations: Evidence of several drift log fires south of the Nehalem. Fireworks debris south of the Nehalem. Prints in the sand that may be dog, or possibly coyote in Snowy Plover restricted area north of the Nehalem..

Vehicles

ATVs/OHVs on beach, prohibited: 2.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. Moderate to high numbers of mature crabs, very high concentrations of small (

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.). Light accumulation of primarily organic material north of Nehalem River. Moderate accumulations of human debris, primarily fireworks, south of Nehalem River.

Report Images

JMorris

CoastWatcher

All Mile 296 Reports

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Mile 296

South end Nehalem Beach, Nehalem Bay SP

July 14, 2019

North of the Nehalem River mile 296 is accessible only by an ~2 mile beach walk (or bicycle or horse) or a similar distance on a sandy track running down the center of the spit.

JMorris