Historical News

Week of March 1 - 7, 2020

Bacteria Sampling

​Twenty stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers on March 5, 2020.  Five of these stations were also sampled for enterococci bacteria. Conditions leading up to the March 5 sampling day were mostly dry, with 0.30 inches of rainfall recorded over the five days prior.

The geometric mean of fecal coliform results for all sites was 21 MPN/100 mL, with Seekonk River sites having higher counts than Providence River sites (geometric means of 44 and 15 MPN/100 mL, respectively). The maximum count (93 MPN/100 mL) was measured at four different sites including Phillipsdale Landing, Crook Point, India Point Park, and Point Street Bridge. The enterococci results were below detection (<10 MPN/100 mL) across all sites. Both the Seekonk River and the Providence River had fecal coliform and enterococci results that were within state primary contact standards. Bacteria counts in both rivers exceeded state shellfishing 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.

Week of March 8 - March 14, 2020

Surface Mapping

Data were collected on March 11, 2020 while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence River estuary. The chlorophyll concentrations were good. From north to south, average chlorophyll concentrations were as follows: Upper Providence River (3.31 µg/L), Edgewood Shoals area (4.12 µg/L), Pawtuxet River area (3.26 µg/L), and Lower Providence River area (4.25 µg/L). Overall, chlorophyll ranged between non-detectable and 8.60 µg/L with an overall average of 3.77 µg/L.  The chlorophyll data from this date are presented in the map below:Dataflow 2020-03-11 small.jpg

Week of March 8 - 14, 2020

R/V Monitor's Blog

​On Wednesday, March 11th, the crew of the R/V Monitor was out on the upper Bay collecting nutrients and plankton samples, taking Secchi Disk water clarity measurements, conducting water column profiles using the Seabird instrument, and conducting real-time surface mapping of water quality parameters, including dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, water temperature, salinity, and pH, all in an effort to document water quality improvements associated with NBC construction projects.  Jeff captained the boat while monitoring professionals Bekki, Mike and Amanda collected the samples and data.  It was a warm, sunny day with a mild breeze and calm waters.  The featured photo of a kayaker was taken near Edgewood Yacht Club.

3-11-20Kayaker.jpg 

Week of March 1 - 7, 2020

R/V Monitor's Blog

​On Thursday, March 5th, the crew of the R/V Monitor was out on the upper Bay collecting bacteria samples, taking Secchi Disk water clarity measurements, and conducting real-time surface mapping of water quality parameters, including dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, water temperature, salinity and pH, all in an effort to document water quality improvements associated with NBC construction projects.  Jeff captained the boat while monitoring professionals Fern and Mike collected the samples and data.  It was a brisk sunny day with a moderate wind from the northwest, making the water fairly choppy.  The featured photo was taken just south of the Field's Point treatment plant, with NBC's wind turbines being the focus.

3-5-20 NBC.jpg 

Week of March 1 – March 7, 2020

Surface Mapping

​Data were collected on March 5, 2020 while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting bacteria samples in the Seekonk and Providence River estuaries. The chlorophyll concentrations were good to fair in areas surveyed. From north to south, average chlorophyll concentrations were as follows: Seekonk River (2.70 µg/L), Upper Providence River (4.14 µg/L), Edgewood Shoals area (7.58 µg/L), Pawtuxet River area (6.65 µg/L), and Lower Providence River area (6.29 µg/L). Overall, chlorophyll ranged between 1.20 and 9.80 µg/L with an overall average of 4.59 µg/L.  The chlorophyll data from this date are presented in the map below:​

Dataflow 2020-03-05 small.jpg

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