Mile 312 - Cannon Beach, Tolovana Park south - September 12, 2011

Report Details

Recent testing of the Tolovana Wayside Chisana Creek outfall water quality by Oregon State showed extremely high readings for enterococci-9804. Anything over 158 is a problem. There are no warning mechanisms currently at the wayside. This outfall water is heavily used by children most days of the year for digging, wading, etc. We are very concerned about this and have approached the City. The State Parks are aware also, but no action has occurred. This is a very serious problem and is similar to another popular outfall area just north of Tolovana, Ecola Creek outfall.

Conditions

Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 30. Number of dogs: 10. Walking or running: 15. Photography: 5. Tidepooling: 10.

Concerns

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 25.

Notable Wildlife

several crow families on the tidal rocks, one cormorant in breakers, diving for fish, one lesser sandpiper and 2 black turnstones,plus the usual western gulls with chicks

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces.

Natural Changes

sand has moved toward the bluff, leaving deep troughs in tidal range