Nicole Flecchia – Narrabay

February 18, 2026

Nutrient samples were collected from six river stations on February 18th. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.25” of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green.

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at Blackstone River @ Slater Mill (TN = 1,430 ppb, TDN = 2,170 ppb, DIN = 1,249.2 ppb). The lowest TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Moshassuck River @ Higginson Ave. (TN = 710 ppb, TDN = 702 ppb, DIN = 595.9 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is March 4th, 2026.

February 4, 2026

Nutrient samples were collected from nine river stations on February 4th. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.0” of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green.

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at Ten Mile River @ Roger Williams Ave. (TN = 3,530 ppb, TDN = 3,510 ppb, DIN = 3,336 ppb). The lowest TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Coles River @ Milford Rd. (TN = 830 ppb, TDN = 938 ppb, DIN = 731 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is February 18th, 2026.

January 21, 2026

Nutrient samples were collected from seven river stations on January 21st. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.7” of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green.

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at Pawtuxet River @ Broad St. (TN = 1,710 ppb, TDN = 1,710 ppb, DIN = 1,519.5 ppb). The lowest TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Moshassuck River @ Footbridge at Mill St. (TN = 563 ppb, TDN = 572 ppb, DIN = 424.3 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is February 4th, 2026.

January 7, 2026

Nutrient samples were collected from thirteen river stations on January 7th. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.11” of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green.

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at Pawtuxet River @ Broad St. (TN = 2,160 ppb, TDN = 2,330 ppb, DIN = 1,234.2 ppb). The lowest TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Woonasquatucket River @ Manton Ave. Bridge (TN = 808 ppb, TDN = 910 ppb, DIN = 655.9 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is January 21st, 2026.

November 3 – 9, 2025

Phillipsdale Landing

Sondes were retrieved for the end of the season on the morning of November 4th. Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. There was no rain recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow reached a minimum on November 5th, and then increased for the remainder of the week. Surface salinity averaged 15.1 ppt and ranged from 6.1 ppt–25.1 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 24.3 ppt and ranged from 14.1 ppt–28.9 ppt. Temperatures decreased this week, averaging 12.4°C at the surface and 13.9°C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 10.1°C–14.1°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 12.4°C–14.6°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO>2.9mg/L) in both the surface and bottom waters. Surface DO averaged 8.1 mg/L and ranged from 6.3 mg/L–9.9 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 6.4 mg/L and ranged from 5.7 mg/L–7.6 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings remained relatively constant compared to last week, averaging 0.4 µg/L at the surface and 2.5 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 1.6 µg/L on the morning of November 3rd. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.

Bullock’s Reach

Sondes were retrieved for the end of the season on the morning of November 7th. Overall, water quality was good at Bullock’s Reach this week. Salinity averaged 24.5 ppt, 24.0 ppt, and 29.3 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 10.0–29.3 ppt, mid-depth salinity ranged 9.6–30.1 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 27.2–30.5 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 12.3°C and ranged from 10.4°C to 13.3C. Mid-depth temperatures averaged 12.6°C and ranged from 11.7°C to 13.5°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 12.6°C and ranged from 11.6°C to 13.5°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Bullock’s Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 8.4 mg/L and ranged 8.0–9.3 mg/L. In the mid-depth waters, DO averaged 8.5 mg/L and ranged 7.8–9.3 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 8.2 mg/L and ranged 7.7–8.9 mg/L. Chlorophyll concentrations remained relatively constant compared to last week. Readings averaged 1.6 µg/L at the surface, 2.4 µg/L at mid-depth, and 4.7 µg/L at the bottom. The maximum surface chlorophyll was 3.1 µg/L on the morning of November 3rd.

October 27 – November 2, 2025

Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. There was light rain with 0.92 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow increased throughout the week. Surface salinity averaged 11.9 ppt and ranged from 3.2 ppt–25.9 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 24.0 ppt and ranged from 3.9 ppt–30.3 ppt. Temperatures decreased this week, averaging 12.6°C at the surface and 14.6°C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 10.0°C–14.8°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 11.0°C–16.0°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO>2.9mg/L) in both the surface and bottom waters. Surface DO averaged 8.8 mg/L and ranged from 6.2 mg/L–10.5 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 6.1 mg/L and ranged from 4.2 mg/L–9.8 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings remained relatively constant compared to last week, averaging 0.5 µg/L at the surface and 2.0 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 2.8 µg/L on the morning of November 2nd. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.

Bullock’s Reach

Sondes were swapped the afternoon of October 27th. Overall, water quality was good at Bullock’s Reach this week. Salinity averaged 27.8 ppt, 29.3 ppt, and 30.9 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 9.8–30.5 ppt, mid-depth salinity ranged 26.8–30.9 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 29.4–32.0 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 14.1°C and ranged from 12.0°C to 15.2°C. Mid-depth temperatures averaged 14.3°C and ranged from 12.8°C to 15.6°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 14.7°C and ranged from 12.9°C to 15.9°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Bullock’s Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 8.1 mg/L and ranged 7.6–10.4 mg/L. In the mid-depth waters, DO averaged 7.9 mg/L and ranged 7.3–9.6 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 7.5 mg/L and ranged 6.8–8.3 mg/L. Chlorophyll concentrations decreased at all depths compared to last week. Readings averaged 1.3 µg/L at the surface, 2.6 µg/L at mid-depth, and 4.9 µg/L at the bottom. The maximum surface chlorophyll was 3.2 µg/L on the morning of October 27th.

October 20 – 26, 2025

Phillipsdale Landing

Sondes were swapped the morning of October 21st. Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. There was light rain with 0.73 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow was at its highest between October 21st and October 23rd. Surface salinity averaged 8.8 ppt and ranged from 2.5 ppt–24.6 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 20.9 ppt and ranged from 4.4 ppt–29.1 ppt. Temperatures decreased this week, averaging 14.9°C at the surface and 16.2°C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 12.3°C–17.1°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 14.3°C–17.3°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO>2.9mg/L) in both the surface and bottom waters. Surface DO averaged 8.5 mg/L and ranged from 6.1 mg/L–10.1 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 6.2 mg/L and ranged from 4.5 mg/L–9.3 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings decreased from last week, averaging 0.9 µg/L at the surface and 1.8 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 4.5 µg/L on the morning of October 20th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.

Bullock’s Reach

Overall, water quality was good at Bullock’s Reach this week. Salinity averaged 27.6 ppt, 29.8 ppt, and 30.9 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 22.1–30.7 ppt, mid-depth salinity ranged 27.5–31.1 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 29.9–31.8 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 15.8°C and ranged from 14.1°C to 16.7°C. Mid-depth temperatures averaged 15.8°C and ranged from 15.2°C to 16.5°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 15.7°C and ranged from 15.3°C to 16.3°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Bullock Reach’s remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 7.8 mg/L and ranged 7.2–8.5 mg/L. In the mid-depth waters, DO averaged 7.7 mg/L and ranged 6.9–9.2 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 7.3 mg/L and ranged 6.6–7.8 mg/L. Chlorophyll concentrations increased at all depths compared to last week. Readings averaged 4.1 µg/L at the surface, 4.5 µg/L at mid-depth, and 24.1 µg/L at the bottom. The maximum surface chlorophyll was 11.4 µg/L on the afternoon of October 24th.

October 13 – 19, 2025

Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. Weather conditions were moderately rainy, with 1.58 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow decreased throughout the week. Surface salinity averaged 17.0 ppt and ranged from 8.0 ppt–26.6 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 23.6 ppt and ranged from 11.0 ppt–30.7 ppt. Temperatures decreased this week, averaging 15.9°C at the surface and 16.9°C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 13.7°C–17.6°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 14.2°C–19.0°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO>2.9mg/L) in both the surface and bottom waters. Surface DO averaged 7.6 mg/L and ranged from 5.7 mg/L–9.0 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 6.3 mg/L and ranged from 4.7 mg/L–8.3 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings decreased from last week, averaging 1.8 µg/L at the surface and 1.9 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 6.2 µg/L on the morning of October 15th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.

Bullock’s Reach

Overall, water quality was good at Bullock’s Reach this week. Salinity averaged 28.5 ppt, 29.6 ppt, and 31.3 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 25.7–30.7 ppt, mid-depth salinity ranged 26.6–31.5 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 28.5–32.3 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 16.5°C and ranged from 14.7°C to 18.1°C. Mid-depth temperatures averaged 16.7°C and ranged from 15.1°C to 18.1°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 16.9°C and ranged from 15.6°C to 18.2°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Bullock’s Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 7.4 mg/L and ranged 6.6–8.5 mg/L. In the mid-depth waters, DO averaged 7.4 mg/L and ranged 6.6–8.0 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 7.0 mg/L and ranged 6.3–7.6 mg/L. Chlorophyll concentrations in the surface and mid-depth waters decreased compared to week but increased in the bottom waters. Readings averaged 2.8 µg/L at the surface, 2.2 µg/L at mid-depth, and 9.6 µg/L at the bottom. The maximum surface chlorophyll was 5.9 µg/L on the afternoon of October 18th.

October 6 – 12, 2025

Phillipsdale Landing

Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of October 7th. Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. Weather conditions were fairly dry, with 0.42 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow peaked in the middle of the week. Surface salinity averaged 21.0 ppt and ranged from 12.1 ppt–27.2 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 24.3 ppt and ranged from 16.9 ppt–28.6 ppt. Temperatures decreased this week, averaging 19.9°C at the surface and 20.3°C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 16.5°C–22.8°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 17.1°C–22.7°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO>2.9mg/L) in both the surface and bottom waters. Surface DO averaged 5.9 mg/L and ranged from 4.2 mg/L–8.7 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 5.5 mg/L and ranged from 4.1 mg/L–8.7 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings decreased from last week, averaging 3.7 µg/L at the surface and 4.7 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 16.2 µg/L on the morning of October 6th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.

Bullock’s Reach

Overall, water quality was good at Bullock’s Reach this week. Salinity averaged 29.5 ppt, 29.9 ppt, and 30.6 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 27.7–30.9 ppt, mid-depth salinity ranged 28.2–31.0 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 28.4–31.5 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 19.4°C and ranged from 17.4°C to 21.3°C. Mid-depth temperatures averaged 19.5°C and ranged from 17.8°C to 21.2°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 19.5°C and ranged from 17.9°C to 20.8°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Bullock’s Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 7.1 mg/L and ranged 6.2–9.7 mg/L. In the mid-depth waters, DO averaged 6.9 mg/L and ranged 5.9–8.9 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 6.4 mg/L and ranged 5.2–7.3 mg/L. Chlorophyll concentrations decreased throughout the week. Readings averaged 8.9 µg/L at the surface, 5.4 µg/L at mid-depth, and 6.3 µg/L at the bottom. The maximum surface chlorophyll was 49.3 µg/L on the afternoon of October 6th.

October 15, 2025

Water column profiles were conducted using a Seabird Electronics profiler at five locations in the Providence River and one location in the Seekonk River on October 15, 2025. In the five days leading up to this there were 2.30 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green International Airport (Warwick, RI). The water column was strongly stratified at India Point Park and Phillipsdale Landing, and weakly stratified at Bullock’s Reach, Edgewood Yacht Club, Pawtuxet Cove and Pomham Rocks.

Dissolved oxygen conditions were not below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) at any of the visited locations. The highest fluorescence reading was observed about 1.25 meters below the surface at Phillipsdale Landing.