Mile 43 Report
Beach south of Humbug Mountain
December 20, 2008
What a nice break in the weather, and break in the breakers for a walk on mile 43.
Report Details
What a nice break in the weather, and break in the breakers for a walk on mile 43. This beach is coarse dark sand, but wrapped by bedrock cliffs, so it can be quite dangerous this time of the year when the swell is high, even during low tide. Today the swell was amazingly small, probably 2 feet or less. The water was clear, and a steel blue grey color. Some loose seaweed seemed to be in the water. This was quite a change from the summer muck, that was especially thick this year. The profile of the beach was steep. and as much as ten feet of sand has moved offshore for the winter. It was fairly flat during the fall. The two mico emerging dunes on the north end of the beach have both seen erosion. The larger dune that is mostly inhabited by European beach grass, has become smaller the past few year, being eroded on the west, and larger shurbs are becoming established on the east. Native beach grass is starting to get established on the south of the overflow for the first time I am aware of.
Conditions
Temperature: 40 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Strong. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 3.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 1. Walking or running: 1. Someone put a few flags on the access game trail last summer.
Concerns
Apparent violations: none.
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 1.
Notable Wildlife
Very low amount of seaweed that usually is present this time of the year on the north portion of my cell. What was there was mostly surf grass. 3 pelicans present near shore. Over 100 pelicans off shore apparently feeding.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 2. gulls
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Unusual concentration. one mostly eaten ling cod
Driftline Content
Wood pieces.
Actions & Comments
The sand on the north end of my beach had a light green cast due to seasonal sorting. Low amount of debris in driftline, although some crab gear was present. Older driftwood that usually accumulates on both ends of the beach was present scattered throughout the entire sand portion.
Dale Lee
CoastWatcher
All Mile 43 Reports
Mile 43
Beach south of Humbug Mountain
Stepping on to be beach I was greeted by a healthy supply of summer sand, low swells and blue water with changing shades of color and contrast as the puffy clouds blew over from the northwest.
Dale Lee
Mile 43
Beach south of Humbug Mountain
Over ten feet of sand has migrated from the north end of mile 43, as remnant bits of last summer's beach can still be seen high near the vegetation line.
Dale Lee
Mile 43
Beach south of Humbug Mountain
Visiting my mile is traditionally a low tide, moderate to low swell event.
Dale Lee
Mile 43
Beach south of Humbug Mountain
Although it is about a 10 to 15 minute walk to the beach, ODOT did a major repair to the place I park and access my mile.
Dale Lee
Mile 43
Beach south of Humbug Mountain
Nice afternoon with exceptionally clean and clear air.
Dale Lee
Mile 43
Beach south of Humbug Mountain
The ocean was quite foamy from a high swell at night but had subsided to around 5 feet when I was there.
Dale Lee