Historical News
Bacteria Sampling
The geometric mean of fecal coliform results for all sites was 26 MPN/100 mL, compared to a geometric mean of 40 MPN/100 mL the prior sampling event. Seekonk River sites generally had higher counts than Providence River sites (geometric means of 161 and 11 MPN/100 mL, respectively). The maximum count (430 MPN/100 mL) was measured at Bishop Point in the Seekonk River. Overall, fecal coliform results from the Providence River were within the state criteria for primary contact and shellfishing, while fecal coliform results from the Seekonk River exceeded state criteria for primary contact and shellfishing.
Enterococci results decreased from an overall geometric mean of 17 MPN/100 mL during the previous sampling event to a geometric mean of 13 MPN/100 mL. Results were <10 MPN/100 mL at all sites except for Point St. Bridge. At Point St. Bridge, the enterococci result was 52 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci results from both rivers were within state primary contact standards.
Please note: the results of NBC's fecal coliform and enterococci monitoring are for informational/research purposes only and are not to intended to suggest official state compliance with bathing or shellfishing standards.
Water Column Clarity
Water clarity was measured at six locations in the Providence and Seekonk River estuaries on August 18, 2021. Conditions this week were dry, with no rainfall recorded at T.F. Green over the three days prior to the survey. There was a slight increase in water clarity since the previous week’s survey. Overall, sites averaged 1.9 meters Secchi depth, compared to 1.8 meters on August 11, 2021. The lowest clarity (1.3 meters) was measured at Phillipsdale Landing, while the highest (2.9 meters) was measured at Conimicut Point. Overall, a gradient of increasing clarity from north to south was observed among sites.
Water Column Clarity
Water clarity was measured at six locations in the Providence River on August 11, 2021. Conditions this week were mostly dry, with just 0.02 inches of rainfall recorded at T.F. Green over the three days prior to the survey. There was a slight increase in water clarity since the prior week’s survey. Overall, sites averaged 1.8 meters Secchi depth, compared to 1.5 meters on August 4, 2021. The lowest clarity (1.2 meters) was measured at Pawtuxet Cove, while the highest (2.8 meters) was measured at Conimicut Point. Overall, a gradient of increasing clarity from north to south was observed among most sites.
Water Column Clarity
Water clarity was measured at eight locations in the Providence and Seekonk River estuaries on August 4, 2021. Conditions this week were dry, with no rainfall recorded at T.F. Green over the three days prior to the survey. There was a slight decrease in water clarity since the prior week’s survey. Overall, sites averaged 1.5 meters Secchi depth, compared to 1.8 meters on July 28, 2021. The lowest clarity (0.9 meters) was measured at Edgewood Yacht Club, while the highest (2.1 meters) was measured at Conimicut Point. There was no gradient of increasing clarity from north to south this week.
Nutrients Sampling
