Phillipsdale Landing
Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. Weather conditions were dry this week, with only 0.01 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow remained stabilized throughout the week, remaining below the 21-year daily throughout the week. Surface salinity averaged 8.7 ppt and ranged from 6.43 ppt to 12.8 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 7.1 ppt and ranged from 5.8 ppt to 11.0 ppt. Temperatures decreased this week, averaging 14.1°C at the surface and ranging 11.4°C – 16.6°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 14.6°C and ranged 12.9°C – 15.6°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 8.7 mg/L and ranged from 6.43 mg/L to 12.77 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 7.1 mg/L and ranged from 5.8 mg/L to 11.0 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings decreased from last week, averaging 9.6 µg/L at the surface and 6.9 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 104.7 µg/L on the afternoon of November 6th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.
Bullock Reach
Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of November 5th. Overall, water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 28.6 ppt, 29.5 ppt, and 30.7 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 27.2– 29.5 ppt, mid salinity ranged 28.3 – 30.9 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 29.5 – 32.0 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 13.9°C and ranged from 12.3°C to 15.3°C. Mid temperatures averaged 14.0°C and ranged from 12.5°C to 15.1°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 14.0°C and ranged from 13.0°C to 14.6°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 8.9 mg/L and ranged 8.2 – 10.5 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 8.7 mg/L and ranged 7.9 – 9.5 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 8.2 mg/L and ranged 7.5 – 9.0 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated throughout the week.. Readings averaged 2.6 µg/L at the surface, 3.6 µg/L at mid-depth, and 4.2 µg/L at the bottom. The maximum surface chlorophyll was 5.0 µg/L on the morning of November 11th.