Snapshot of the Bay

Historical News

August 21, 2024

Surface Mapping

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on August 21, 2024 while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuaries. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as good in the Seekonk River and Northern Providence River Channel, and as fair in all other areas. Overall, chlorophyll ranged 0.93 to 20.56 µg/L with an average of 4.42 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

Dataflow 2024-08-21_snapshot.jpg

August 14, 2024

Surface Mapping

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on August 14, 2024 while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuaries. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as poor in the Seekonk River, and as fair in all other areas. Overall, chlorophyll ranged 1.31 to 109.86 µg/L with an average of 19.45 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

Dataflow 2024-08-14_snapshot.jpg

August 7, 2024

Surface Mapping

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on August 7, 2024 while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuaries. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as fair in all areas surveyed. Overall, chlorophyll ranged 1.72 to 24.79 µg/L with an average of 7.32 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

Dataflow 2024-08-07_Snapshot.jpg

August 1, 2024

Surface Mapping

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on August 1, 2024 while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuaries. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as fair in all areas surveyed. Overall, chlorophyll ranged -0.45 to 63.34 µg/L with an average of 11.02 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

Dataflow 2024-08-01_Snapshot.jpg

August 28, 2024

Bacteria Sampling

On August 28th, 2024 twenty stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers; five of these stations were also sampled for enterococci bacteria. In the five days prior to sampling, precipitation totaled 0.38 inches as recorded at TF Green. Overall, bacteria counts were lower in both the Seekonk and Providence Rivers than during the previous sampling event.

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River sites than in the Providence River sites (geometric means of 53 MPN/100 mL and 13 MPN/100 mL, respectively). The maximum count (430 MPN/100 mL) was measured at Bishop Point and Point St Bridge.

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 14 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from 110 MPN/100 mL at Point St. Bridge to <10 MPN/100 mL at all other sites.

The next scheduled sampling date is September 11th.

The table below lists the Rhode Island bacteria standards for primary contact and shellfishing established by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM). RIDEM defines primary contact as any recreational activities in which there is prolonged and intimate contact with water, involving considerable risk of ingesting water (e.g., swimming, diving, water skiing and surfing). Please note that the RIDEM bacteria standards are provided here for informational purposes only and are not intended to indicate official state compliance with primary contact or shellfishing standards.

Summary of Rhode Island Bacteria Standards for Saltwater Primary Contact and Shellfishing

	Fecal Coliform	Enterococci
Primary Contact¹	Geometric mean ≤50 MPN/100 mL <10% of samples >400 MPN/100 mL	Geometric mean ≤35 colonies/100 mL All samples ≤104 colonies/100 mL²
Shellfishing	Geometric mean ≤14 MPN/100 mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL³	NO ENTEROCOCCI CRITERIA

¹Fecal coliform primary contact criteria applied only when adequate enterococci data are not available; ²Single sample maximum criterion for determining beach swimming advisories at designated beaches as evaluated by the Rhode Island Department of Health; ³For a three-tube decimal dilution

Table adapted from Rhode Island Water Quality Regulations (250-RICR-150-05-1); see regulations for complete details.