Mile 54 - South of Cape Blanco, access road to Elk River - March 29, 2008

Report Details

This beach is always quite clean. The extra debris this time was probably mostly from winter storms. It did look as though the northern dune area near the base of the bluff had taken a beating.

Conditions

Temperature: 45 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 2.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 6. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 5. Other Activities: 1 driving ATV. It's always impossible to tell if ATV drivers have valid permit

Concerns

Driftwood removal

Apparent violations: evidence of recent sawmill in driftwood near vehicle entrance to beach.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 2. ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed: 1.

Driftline Content

Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam. a lot of plastic bottles and large chunks of styrofoam--more than my usual two-bags' worth

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune, Landslides/major boulder falls. the part of the vehicle access road that runs parallel to the beach had washed away to about half its former width. Consequently, a new vehicle turn-off to the beach had been established further north than previously.