Image above: July 6th, 2024. Looking over the jetty that connects to Damon Point on the far end. We are near the end of the jetty adjacent to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Click image once or twice to show detail.

Significant History

1916 – Jetty adjacent to the former public parking area at Damon Point is installed. Apparently, no maintenance has been done on this part of the jetty since 1916.

In The News

Coastal town erosion: Waves, sand, and human intervention

North Cove, Westport and Ocean Shores all battling the march of the Pacific Ocean

By Mike McClanahan TVW • June 4, 2025 Posted by Daily World

Love To See Newspeople Ask:

When and why was a decision made to turn away from maintaining the 1916 jetty adjacent to former public parking areas at Damon Point?

Is the jetty adjacent to Damon Point the only section of jetty in Grays Harbor that has gone without maintenance since it was installed?

What would Westport look like if efforts to maintain the coast were suspended?

Above is a description of how the jetty on the Westport side has been maintained over the years.

Above: Posted near the Westport Light Trail.

Any similar plaque on the Ocean Shores side?

In the news:

Nov 2, 2023 The Daily World

A 100-year old jetty used to protect Ocean Shores. Can new technologies save its south end?

“In 1916, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the construction of Grays Harbor’s North Jetty, a three mile-long berm of boulders jutting into the Pacific, hugging and holding the entire southern shoreline of Ocean Shores. The body of water now known as Oyhut Bay did not exist.”

Grays Harbor did not encroach inland of the 1916 jetty at the time it was built?

1916 – Jetty adjacent to the former public parking area at Damon Point is installed. Apparently, no maintenance has been done on this part of the jetty since 1916.

If the jetty was a priority in 1916, why was it let go as the years went by?

Any federal money for ports and coastal improvement?

$6.3 million in federal cash for a used Ocean Shores hotel.

Any questions from newspeople?

December 8, 2022 The Daily World

Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel

$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”

Zero questions from small or large newspapers. Zero questions from TV newspeople.

Information suppression protocols:

Here is a broken link that once announced Congressman Derek Kilmer’s success in pulling together $6.3 million in federal cash for the used Ocean Shores hotel. Why is this public information no longer available?

Other sources:

$6.3 million will be used to purchase an Ocean Shores hotel; saves jobs

KXRO News December 7, 2022

Love to see newspeople out asking questions.

What we get now is sort of a press release style of news reporting where a statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest policy update, drug bust/federal grant money award, etc.

Newspeople post this statement as is. A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.

Ports and coastal improvement:

Oct. 9, 2020 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters Website

About the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

“One of the Seattle District’s primary missions is to maintain the navigation channels and harbors in the Pacific Northwest. Maintenance and navigation dredging is done frequently in harbor areas, ports and marinas. A significant component of Washington’s economy depends on navigation and commerce, which in turn depends on dredging navigation channels.”

No longer Here – Ferry to Westport – Fell Apart on the Ocean Shores Side

Ocean Shores to Westport: Remembering the El Matador Ferry
By Douglas Scott

“Separated by less than two miles as the crow flies, traveling between Westport and Ocean Shores should be a quick excursion, but the drive is an hour long between the two seaside towns.”

“Sadly, the ferry service shut down in 2008, but not due to lack of popularity. While the ferry service had seen closures in previous years, the service would always pick back up and be celebrated by residents and visitors alike. Sadly, after too much sand and silt built up around the Ocean Shores marina, the El Matador was forced to cancel trips across the harbor. What was once a family-friendly boating experience and adventure across the harbor is now relegated to fond memories.”

Different story over at Westport

“…less than two miles as the crow flies…”

Imagine telling the fishing boat captains over at Westport that their access to a 100 year old armor-plated harbor was going to be let go because too much sand and silt built up around the marina.

Love to see the press head over to Westport and give some credit where credit is due.

Did Westport ever score $6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel?

Any questions from newspeople?

December 8, 2022 The Daily World

Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel

Visit Westport and take a look at a community that faces the same concerns Re: tsunami zone, global warming, sea level rise, climate crisis, king tides, coastal erosion, El Niño/La Niña, winter storms and did not let any of that get in the way of keeping things maintained on their working waterfront.

Related:

Grays Harbor – Sea Level Rise

Feb, 2024 – 98569 Coastal Erosion Attitudes

Damon Point – A Race Against Nature?

Ocean Shores Foot Ferry?

Two Jetties – Westport and Damon Point

Imagine telling the fishing boat captains over at Westport that their access to a 100 year old armor-plated harbor was going to be let go

1916 Jetty – Damon Point

What would Westport look like?

Less Than Two Miles As The Crow Flies – Ocean Shores Marina History

Ocean Shores Marina History – A Time Gone By

Westport, WA Foot Ferry – A Race Against Nature?

Possibly of interest:

Sound Publishing And Black Press Media