Phillipsdale Landing
The Phillipsdale Landing sondes have been deployed for the season since April 2nd, 2024. Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. Weather conditions were wet this week, with a total of 2.22 inches recorded at T.F. Green, and the majority of rainfall occurring between the 2nd and 4th. The Blackstone River flow increased during the 4th and remained above the 19-year daily median for the week. Salinity at the surface averaged 1.8 ppt and ranged from 0.2 ppt to 5.7 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 9.2 ppt and ranged from 0.2 ppt to 27.6 ppt. Temperatures this week averaged 7.4°C at the surface and 6.7°C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 5.8°C to 9.9°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 5.6°C to 8.9°C.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 12.2 mg/L and ranged from 11.0-13.5 mg/L. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 11.6 mg/L and ranged from 9.2 mg/L to 13.6 mg/L. Chlorophyll remained low, averaging 1.6 ug/L at the surface and 3.1 ug/L at the bottom. Maximum surface chlorophyll readings reached 4.3 ug/L, recorded on the morning of April 4th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location. Also, please note that an early portion of the bottom data is not included in the summary above due to bottom deployment getting into position.
Bullock Reach
The Bullock Reach Buoy remains out of the water for the winter. EM will coordinate with RIDEM to redeploy the buoy in late spring.