Cleaning the Coast: Seal Rock Advisory Lifted, Oregon Beach Cleanups Coming

Published 08/07/23 at 5:51 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Newport, Oregon) – Much of the Oregon coast is about to get a good scouring, with one particular river on the central coast getting special attention. Moreover, the advisory to stay out of the water at Seal Rock is over. (Above: Seal Rock, Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

Earlier this month, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) had to issue a health advisory for Seal Rock's waters and those at Seal Rock State Recreation Site, after testing found higher levels of fecal bacteria. That was implemented on August 1 at the Lincoln County beach.

“Results from follow-up tests taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed lower bacteria levels,” OHA said. “Contact with the ocean water no longer poses a higher-than-normal risk. Officials recommend staying out of large pools on the beach that are frequented by birds, and runoff from those pools, because the water may contain increased bacteria from fecal matter.”

As of August 4, the coast is clear – so to speak. It's OK to go back into the waters.

Since 2003, state officials have used a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria. Oregon state agencies participating in this program are OHA, DEQ and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

Courtesy Surfrider

Coming up soon is the Annual Fall SOLVE Cleanups, happening Saturday, September 16 at 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. A huge swath of the Oregon coast will get crews heading out and picking up trash. See solveoregon.org to sign up.

The Newport Chapter of Surfrider Foundation said it will oversee sites including Otter Rock, Beverly Beach, Agate Beach, Nye Beach, and Yaquina Bay State Park.

Meanwhile, Friday, August 11 at 9:45 a.m. sees a special cleanup along the Siletz River near Lincoln City, concentrating on tires tossed into the river. One intrepid local and his pals have been dragging tires on a regular basis. Surfrider said he has cleaned up over 300 tires from the Salmon River estuary alone over the last several years. Look for the trailer at Ojalla and launch at Hee Hee (Siletz).

If you want to participate, contact Newport Surfrider and they will get you in touch with him. beachcleanups@newport.or surfrider.org

Hotels in Lincoln City - Where to eat - Lincoln City Maps and Virtual Tours

MORE PHOTOS BELOW

Courtesy Surfrider

Below: Seal Rock, Oregon Coast Beach Connection

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

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

Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted