Historical News
Fixed Site Network
Phillipsdale Landing
Water quality was good this week at Phillipsdale Landing. Several hours of surface data from the morning of February 10th was excluded due to the salinity data being suspect. Approximately 1.26 inches of precipitation was recorded over the week, with a majority (0.79 inches) occurring on February 13. Surface salinity increased from the previous week, averaging 8.1 ppt, and ranging from 2.8 ppt to 24.1 ppt. Bottom salinity averaged 18.9 ppt and ranged from 4.3 ppt to 30.3 ppt. Both surface and bottom temperatures increased from the previous week, averaging 3.9°C and 4.4°C, respectively .
Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations were good this week, remaining above the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) at both depths. Surface DO averaged 12.4 mg/L, with a minimum of 10.4 mg/L and bottom DO averaged 11.0 mg/L, with a minimum of 9.6 mg/L. Surface chlorophyll-a remained low this week, averaging 2.6 ug/L with a maximum of 5.6 ug/L.
Bullocks Reach
The Bullock Reach sondes were removed for the season on November 19.
Fixed Site Network
Phillipsdale Landing
Water quality was good this week at Phillipsdale Landing. Several hours of surface data was excluded from the following summary due to the sonde being tangled in deep water. The issue was resolved when the sondes were changed-out for routine maintenance mid-day on February 4th. Approximately 0.86 inches of precipitation was recorded over the week, with a majority (0.75 inches) occurring over February 6 and 7. Despite the rain, surface salinity exhibited an increase overall from the previous week, averaging 6.8 ppt, and ranging from 3.2 ppt to 19.8 ppt. Bottom salinity averaged 22.9 ppt and ranged from 4.7 ppt to 32.3 ppt. Surface water temperatures for the week averaged 4.3°C and bottom temperatures averaged 4.8°C.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations were good this week, remaining above the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) at both depths. Surface DO averaged 12.2 mg/L, with a minimum of 10.6 mg/L and bottom DO averaged 10.0 mg/L, with a minimum of 8.9 mg/L. Surface chlorophyll -a remained low this week, averaging 2.1 ug/L with a maximum of 6.1 ug/L.
Bullocks Reach
The Bullock Reach sondes were removed for the season on November 19.
Water Column Clarity
Water clarity was measured at six locations in the Providence River on February 12, 2020. Approximately 0.47 inches of rain fell over the two days prior to the survey, and water clarity was slightly decreased compared to the previous week. Overall, sites surveyed this week averaged 2.78 m Secchi depth, compared to 3.52 m on February 5. The lowest clarity was measured at India Point Park (2.30 m), while the greatest clarity was measured at Conimicut Point (3.43 m). A gradient of increasing clarity among sites from north to south was observed.
Water Column Clarity
Water clarity was measured at six locations in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers on February 5, 2020; most of these sites had not been surveyed since January 2, due to unsuitable weather conditions for boating during most of the month. Approximately 0.11 inches of rain fell on the morning of the survey, though the previous several days had been dry. Water clarity was high at most sites, with the lowest Secchi depth measured at Phillipsdale Landing (2.30 m). Measurements at all other sites were greater than 3 m. The greatest Secchi depth was measured at Bullock Reach (4.30 m). A gradient of increasing clarity among sites from north to south was observed.
Fixed Site Network
