Historical News

Week of January 10 – 16, 2021

Water Column Clarity

​Water clarity was measured at six locations in the Providence River on January 13, 2021. No rainfall was recorded on the day of the survey and in the three days prior, leading to an increase in water clarity compared to the previous survey day. Overall, sites survey averaged 3.13 meters Secchi depth, compared to 1.23 meters on December 2, 2020. The lowest clarity (2.03 meters) was measured at India Point Park, while the greatest clarity (5.83 meters) was measured at Conimicut Point Park. Overall, a slight gradient of increasing clarity from north to south was observed among all sites.  

Week of November 29 – December 5, 2020

Water Column Clarity

​Water clarity was measured at six locations in the Providence River on December 2, 2020. Heavy rainfall of 3.45 inches was recorded at TF Green in the three days prior to the survey which impacted clarity in the Bay. Overall, this week sites surveyed averaged 1.23 meters Secchi depth, compared to 3.02 meters on November 25. The lowest clarity (0.83 meters) was measured at the India Point Park site, while the greatest clarity (1.63 meters) was measured at the Conimicut Point Park site.  Overall, a gradient of increasing clarity from north to south was observed among all sites.  

Week of January 10 – January 16, 2021

Surface Mapping

Data were collected on January 13, 2021 while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence River estuary. The chlorophyll concentrations were good in the areas surveyed. From north to south, average chlorophyll concentrations were as follows: Upper Providence River (2.48 µg/L), Edgewood Shoals area (2.40 µg/L), Pawtuxet River area (2.04 µg/L), and Lower Providence River area (1.92 µg/L). Overall, chlorophyll ranged between 0.60 µg/L and 3.70 µg/L with an overall average of 2.21 µg/L. The chlorophyll data from this date are presented in the map below:Dataflow 2021-01-13 small.jpg


Week of January 10 - 16, 2021

R/V Monitor's Blog

On Wednesday, January 13th, the crew of the R/V Monitor was out on the upper Bay collecting nutrients and plankton samples, taking Secchi Disk and Par sensor 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.  Sara captained the boat while monitoring professionals Mike, Fern and Steve collected the samples and data. The day started cold but sunny. The skies partially clouded up by the afternoon. There was minimal wind in the morning but it picked up from the west by the afternoon, and with it a chop developed on the water. The featured photo was taken of ProvPort from a distance. NBC's Field's Point three wind turbines can be seen in the background.

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Week of January 3 - January 9, 2021

Surface Mapping

Data were collected on January 6, 2020 while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Seekonk and Providence River estuaries. Due to technical difficulties, results were deemed unusable and no map will be posted from this sampling event.

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