Historical News

Week of November 26 – December 2, 2017

Water Column Clarity

​Water clarity was measured at four locations in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers on November 29, 2017. The five days prior to sampling were dry with no precipitation. Average water clarity conditions remained similar to conditions observed on the previous sampling date, decreasing by 0.1 meters on average. Secchi depth ranged from 2.0 m at Pomham Rocks to 3.8 m at Bullock Reach and averaged 2.7 m. A north to south water clarity gradient was not apparent.

Week of November 12 – 18, 2017

Water Column Clarity

​Water clarity was measured at six locations in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers on November 15, 2017. Moderate rain (0.28 inches) fell during the 5 days prior to sampling. Water clarity increased this week compared to the previous sampling, with an average Secchi depth of 2.8 m, a 1.2 m increase. Secchi depth ranged from 1.8 m at India Point Park to 3.0 m at Point Street Bridge, showing no evidence of a north to south gradient. The largest increase of 1.8 m was observed at Conimicut Point.

Week of November 5 – 11, 2017

Water Column Clarity

​Water clarity was measured at six locations in the Providence River on November 8, 2017. Moderate rain (0.24 inches) fell during the 5 days prior to sampling. Secchi depth ranged from 1.3 meters at Pawtuxet Cove to 1.8 meters at Edgewood Yacht Club. Overall, the average Secchi depth was 1.6 meters, a 0.6 meter increase from the previous week, which was very rainy. The largest increase (0.8 m) was observed at Edgewood Yacht Club. Overall, there was no evidence of a north to south gradient in water clarity.

Week of October 29 - November 4, 2017

Water Column Clarity

​Water clarity was measured at six locations in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers on November 1, 2017. A total of 2.34 inches of rain fell during the five days prior to sampling, on October 28-29. This rainfall may have contributed to decreased water clarity. Secchi depth ranged from 0.7 meters at the northernmost station, Phillipsdale Landing to 1.1 meters at Bullock Reach and Conimicut Point in the south. Though water clarity did not range widely, there was evidence of a north to south water clarity gradient. Overall, water clarity averaged 1.0 m, a 0.8 m decrease from the previous week.

Week of December 3 - 9, 2017

R/V Monitor's Blog

​On Wednesday, December 6th, 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.  Sara captained the boat while monitoring professionals Heather, Mike and Steve collected the samples and data.  It was cloudy and cold all day, with a wind out of the west, making the waters slightly choppy.  The photo below was taken at Bullock Point showing some ducks in the foreground and a small sunken vessel in the background. 

12-6-17 Sunken Boat Bullock Point.jpg 

 

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