Stay Eat Events Weather Beaches

What's Washing Up on Oregon Coast? How Beaches are Changing

Published 12/11/2016 at 5:23 PM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

Cove Beach, where beach access is now cut off due to erosion

(Oregon Coast) – Winter means storms and big waves on the Oregon coast, and that means sand levels are sinking and funky stuff is piling up on the beaches. As erosion takes out sand and waves climb higher, the beaches around here change rapidly. (Above: Cove Beach, where beach access is now cut off due to erosion).

CoastWatch, the group of volunteers that keeps an eye on the Oregon coast for changes along the shorelines, has plenty of eyes out there taking notes. The group's website includes a section that shows what its volunteers are finding, found at https://oregonshores.org/coastwatch/mile-report-browser. This is especially fun to peruse in winter as much more happens on these sands and rocky areas this time of year.

Some of the reports from that last month include a variety of interesting sightings and discoveries.

A bottle with Russian writing on it was found at Gleneden Beach early this month – something truly unique.


Tillicum Beach

Down the road about 30 miles, Tillicum Beach access (near Yachats) hasn't eroded enough yet to show ghost forests and such, as one CoastWatch observer noted. But plenty of cliff erosion is taking place, with the volunteer posting photos of large chunks of the cliff falling off into the sand, including a section that held part of a fence.

Lost Creek, near Waldport, had a stranded sea lion in distress earlier in December. The CoastWatch volunteer checking out that area wound up reporting it to the local Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

Lost Creek

That day's report from the group's website talks about plenty of other interesting beach finds at Lost Creek.

“Saw two bald eagles at top of cliff, one blue heron, some birds that I believe were sandpipers, and otherwise only sea gulls. Quite a lot of bull kelp. No crab carapaces that I could see, but some broken mussel and clam shells.”

The observer also found a large helping of debris, including heavy foam fishing floats (one with Korean writing), lots of plastic and plastic rope entangled in seawood or driftwood.

At Del Rey Beach, close to Warrenton, the Coast Watch volunteer there did a survey of birds and found 21 different species in mid November, including northern Fulmars, Red Phalaropes and Common Murres. One Fulmar needed help and was later brought to the North Coast Wildlife Rehabilitation Center near Astoria.

Cove Beach next to Arch Cape (Cape Falcon) is one very clandestine spot on the north Oregon coast, which most do no know about. Earlier in November, it was even more hidden as landslides had cut off some access to the beach. CoastWatch also witnessed plenty of kelp and an interesting fight between a seagull protecting its young and a bald eagle.

Later, in early December, more erosion and landslides have completely cut off access to the beach – which is often a good thing this time of year since high sea levels tend to leave no walkable areas here anyway. The observer noticed major cracks appearing in the bluffs with more root systems exposed there, along with evidence the waves have been washing over the boundary of the beach and onto soil.

This secret spot has some rocky bluffs nearby where pelicans and maybe seals congregate.

At Lincoln City's Taft area (above), along the mouth of the Siletz River, large amounts of driftwood and beachgrass have been washing up. Plenty of manmade debris as well, including small bits of plastic and bottle caps.


At Rocky Creek Wayside near Depoe Bay, it seems the warning signs about not going beyond the fences are being ignored more and more. There's an increasingly-worn pathway being created that goes down to a very dangerous section of rocky shelves, and this has apparently resulted in one death last year.

The observer also noticed a fair amount of styrofoam in Whale Cove, but otherwise that hidden beach area remains clean. Oregon Coast Hotels in these areas - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

 

Oregon Coast event or adventure you can't miss

 


 


Coastal Spotlight

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Swarm of Ten Quakes Off S. Oregon Coast, 7 Within Minutes
It started Monday and lasted through Wed morning near Bandon, Port Orford. Marine sciences, geology
Hatfield Marine Science Center's Marine Science Day Returns to Newport, Orego...
Science fair and open house on Saturday, April 13
Astoria, Oregon's Wine Competition Wraps Up, Announces Winners
Nearly 100 wines submitted by 24 wineries
Velella Like a Thick Carpet at Some Oregon Coast Spots
At least one spot near Newport is report large masses. Marine sciences
Oregon History Made as Coastal Lighthouse Near Florence Celebrates 130 Years
Saturday means tours of the BnB, raffles, live music. Florence events, Newport events
Cuteness on Parade: Gleneden Beach Pet Parade March 30 Benefits Oregon Coast ...
Gleneden Beach Pet Party and Parade near Lincoln City. Lincoln City events
South Oregon Coast Spring Break: from Whales to Deserted Beaches
Maybe a new spring break tradition could be in order? Check out these beach vibes. South coast events
Herbert's 'Dune' Not All Sci-Fi: Real Science Behind Oregon Place That Inspir...
OSU has been researching here for decades; Dunes also in trouble. Florence, south Oregon coast

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted

Oregon Coast Lodging
Rentals
Specials

Dining

Events Calendar

Oregon Coast Weather

Travel News

Search for Oregon Coast Subjects, Articles

Virtual Tours, Maps
Deep Details