Phillipsdale Landing
Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. Weather conditions included sporadic rain events, with 0.62 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow fluctuated through the week in response to rain but remained below the 20-year daily median throughout the week. Surface salinity averaged 21.4 ppt and ranged from 11.7 ppt to 26.4 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 25.3 ppt and ranged from 12.4 ppt to 29.0 ppt. Temperatures decreased this week, averaging 7.2°C at the surface and ranging 3.7°C – 9.2°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 8.1°C and ranged 4.7°C – 9.5°C.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold of 2.9 mg/L at all depths throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 9.6 mg/L and ranged 8.0-11.7 mg/L. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 8.7 mg/L and ranged from 7.5 mg/L to 10.9 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings increased from last week, averaging 6.3 µg/L at the surface and 5.8 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 50.7 µg/L on the morning of December 8th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.
Bullock Reach
Bullock Reach sondes were removed on November 18th and will be deployed again in the spring for the 2025 monitoring season.