Week of September 10 - 16, 2023
Water Column Clarity
Water clarity was measured at seven locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on September 14th, 2023. Rainfall totaling 1.23 inches was recorded at TF Green in the five days prior to the survey. Secchi depth averaged 1.4 meters, compared to 2.2 meters on the previous survey (September 16th). The lowest clarity this week (0.9 meters) was measured at Phillipsdale Landing, while the greatest clarity (1.6 meters) was measured at Point Street Bridge, Bullock Reach and Conimicut Point. There was no clear north-to-south gradient in water clarity among the sites this week.
Week of September 3 - 9, 2023
Water Column Clarity
Water clarity was measured at seven locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on September 6th, 2023. There was no rainfall recorded at TF Green in the five days prior to the survey. Secchi depth averaged 2.2 meters, the same depth recorded on the previous survey (August 31st). The lowest clarity this week (1.5 meters) was measured at Phillipsdale Landing, while the greatest clarity (2.5 meters) was measured at Pomham Rocks. There was no clear north-to-south gradient in water clarity among the sites this week.
Week of August 27 - September 2, 2023
Water Column Clarity
Water clarity was measured at one location in the Providence River estuary on August 31st, 2023 due to extreme conditions. Edgewood Yachet Club had a measured clarity depth of 2.2 meters. Rainfall totaling 0.14 inches was recorded at TF Green in the five days prior to the survey. Secchi depth increased by 0.2 meters, compared to previous survey on August 23rd.
Week of August 20 - 26, 2023
Water Column Clarity
Water clarity was measured at four locations in the Providence River estuary on August 23rd, 2023. Rainfall totaling 2.16 inches was recorded at TF Green in the five days prior to the survey. Secchi depth averaged 1.7 meters, compared to 2.8 meters on the previous survey (August 18th). The lowest clarity this week (1.3 meters) was measured at Pawtuxet Cove, while the greatest clarity (2.0 meters) was measured at Edgewood Yacht Club. There was no clear north-to-south gradient in water clarity among the sites this week.
Week of November 12 – 18, 2023
Fixed Site Network
Phillipsdale Landing
Overall, water quality was good at Phillipsdale Landing this week. There were 0.16 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green this week and Blackstone River flow was slightly higher than normal for this time of year. Surface salinity averaged 13.7 ppt and ranged from 3.7 ppt to 22.6 ppt. Bottom salinity averaged 22.9 ppt and ranged from 11.8 ppt to 28.3 ppt. Temperatures were slightly lower than last week, averaging 10.4°C at the surface and ranging from 7.9°C to 12.4°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 12.4°C and ranged from 10.5°C to 14.0°C.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold of 2.9 mg/L at both the surface and bottom all week. Surface DO remained similar to the previous week, averaging 8.9 mg/L and ranging from 6.7 to 11.0 mg/L. Bottom DO averaged 6.8 mg/L and ranged from 5.4 mg/L to 8.8 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings remained low, averaging 0.6 ug/L at the surface and 1.3 ug/L at the bottom. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.
Bullock Reach
The sondes at Bullock Reach were retrieved on the morning of November 14th for the 2023 season. For the two and half days of data this week before retrieval, water quality was good. Salinity averaged 25.7 ppt, 27.9 ppt, and 29.8 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 23.5 – 27.9 ppt, mid salinity ranged 25.1 – 29.7 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 29.0 – 30.4 ppt. Surface temperatures averaged 11.4°C and ranged from 10.2°C to 12.4°C. Mid temperatures averaged 12.4°C and ranged from 11.3°C to 13.2°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 13.2°C and ranged from 12.5°C to 13.7°C.
DO concentrations at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold all week. Surface DO averaged 8.0 mg/L and ranged 7.4 – 8.8 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 7.5 mg/L and ranged 7.1 – 8.1 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 7.1 mg/L and ranged 6.7 – 7.5 mg/L. Chlorophyll concentrations were low, averaging 1.2 ug/L, 1.9 ug/L, and 1.3 ug/L at the surface, mid, and bottom waters, respectively.
