SURGING IN DEPOE BAY, OREGON 



The following description cf surging in Depoe Bay first aopear-'d 

 in limited issue as Field Report No. 2^ October 194.7, Waves Project 5 

 University of California, Berkeley, The report was prepared by Mr. 

 Iliillard Bascora for use by I'faves Project personnel and would not 

 ordinarily be available for public distribution. In vis?J" of increas- 

 ing recornition of surging as an in-iportant harbor problem (e^g. 

 ffcntsrey^ r?7rand T.faraiSj Terminal Island) this description is now 

 published with the permission of the University of California for the 

 use of harbor engineers who encounter such problems. 



JJepoe Bay is an unusual little harbor on the rough Oregon coast 

 about 90 mil&s south of the Columbia River. It is coTipletely natural 

 and easily accessible by highway. On a coast whose principal harbors 

 are noted for bars which are impassable in hea\^y weather^ Depoe Bay 

 affords an all-weather small-craft shelter. Inside the bay, the 

 shelter is complete and except for rare instances, like the occasion 

 herein described, the surface shows only ripples. The entrance to 

 this quiet harbor is thi^ough a short but torturous and narrow channel 

 less than AO feet wide at the entrance. Beyond the opening there is 

 an outer bay bounded by two small headlands and somewhat protected by 

 an underwater reef. This outer bay is surrounded by steep rocky vralls 

 from virhich the surf reflects. Tte bottom of the bay is covered with 

 jagged rocks (indicated by irregular kelp beds). It offers no pro- 

 tection for boats but does assist in sheltering the channel slightl:/^ 

 The entrance looks suicidal small from the sea to those who are in- 

 experienced and many a boat has headed back out after a quick look at 

 the opening. No boats have ever been lost in attempting this entrance 

 although here have been some narrow escapes, and each passage in heavy 

 weather brings a gallery to the bridge above . At night this entrance 

 is brilliantly lighted by floodlights. In the daytime the hio^ arch 

 bridge above offers a good landmark. 



There is about 4. acres of water in Depoe Bay at full tide. The 

 eastern shore of the bay is a gently shelving sandstone dip slope. 

 On the ivestern side the water is deep nexb to the shore. Jfost of the 

 boats at Depoe Bay are commercial fishing boats less than 40 feat in 

 length. /'Iso^ there are about eight sport fishing and tourist txDats 

 and a Coast Guard life boat. 



From October 27 to October 31s 194.7 an unusual surging condition 

 existed at Depoe Bay. A general storm condition outside had caused 

 about 30 small craft to seek shelter in the Bay, These boats were 

 tied up about six deep along the southwest floating dock. Two Coast 

 Guard boats were moored at the Coast Guard dock opposite the bay 



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