Mile 54 - South of Cape Blanco, access road to Elk River - 03/24/2024

Report Details

Typical Oregon Coast day: sunny turning into rain. Large concentration of Velella Velella. Large slide from bluff just south of access road ripped up established willows. Evidence of chainsaw cutting/harvest on large driftwood log. Bluffs are constantly sloughing here. Several vegetated foredunes that lined the mouth of the Elk didn’t survive the winter.

Conditions

Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate.

Human Activities

Number of people: 5. Number of dogs: 2. Sitting: 5. Other Activities: Rockhounding.

Concerns

Driftwood removal

Apparent violations: Large driftwood log cutting.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 1.

Notable Wildlife

Bald eagles x2

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. Velella Velella in the thousands

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Wood pieces, Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.).

New Development

Access road recently repaired.

Natural Changes

Landslides/major boulder falls, Erosion of vegetated foredune. Vegetated fore dunes on the north side of the mouth of the Elk River gone