January 2, 2017

Temperature: 34 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 8.2 feet.

Other Activities: No one on the beach. Even at low tide, no sand visible, and the rock berm is steep and slick. Our observations were taken on the cliffs above the water.. Many vehicles parked at short-term rental houses, but none at beach access points.

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Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Wood pieces, Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). Lots of marine debris has come in in the last month, more than in any of the previous months of 2016.

Drainage pipes. Because the cliffs in the central part of the Cove are actively eroding, we can see white seep pipes and a few black septic drainage pipes.

New riprap or shoreline protection structures. * No modifications as yet, however a few ocean front homeowners are discussing ways to reinforce the cliffs from wave action. Several suggested improvements are illegal though I don't think the owners actually know that.

Landslides/major boulder falls, Major cracks appearing in bluffs, Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff, Evidence of wave overtopping. The central section of Cove Beach seriously eroded this past year. One set of steps was washed away in spring. The second set was rescued at the last minute before being swept away. (These are heavy 20-ft long pressured treated planks, secured to the cliff by bolts and ropes.) Currently, that public access is unusable.

In 2015, we saw the highest accummulation of sand in 50 years. We were able to walk on dry sand on the WEST side of the offshore rocks. In 2016, that dramatically changed to the lowest sand levels in 50 years. The sand disappeared. Basalt rocks which buffer the cliffs from the ocean waves were washed out in several places (mostly in a 300 yard swath in the middle of the Cove.) Sandstone bedrock was exposed below the unconsolidated silts and clay. To strengthen the "geology in action" sensation, logs and stumps from the 1700 earthquake came into view as the waves pounded the banks. The strong El Nino appeared to change current patterns; more debris came in on the tides, notably a tsunami skiff, and a dead whale.  Naturally homeowners were concerned about cliff erosion. Renters were upset they couldn't easily access the beach. And at high tide, many of us deemed the beach too hazardous to walk on, even in summer. We can report at least a dozen tense exchanges with visitors who, unfamiliar with the danger, allowed their kids and pets to play in the water. The rip currents were particularly impressive this year.HOWEVER, while battering ocean waves really get people's attention, the bigger problem isn't as easily recognized. With 90+ homes in the Cove (up from 20 houses 15 yrs ago), almost all on septic or sand-filter systems, sub-surface ground water levels have increased a lot. Combined with wetter storm events, the increased water runoff actually caused most of the cliff erosion we saw this year. Once the rainy season started, our french drains were full all the time. At our home, we installed rain barrels not to conserve water but to direct it away from the house. Understanding our soils and adopting water usage guidelines is a conversation our community needs to have.