Tara Franey – Narrabay

April 23, 2026

On April 23^rd, 2026, twenty stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers; four of these stations were also sampled for enterococci bacteria. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.21” of precipitation was recorded at TF Green. Overall, bacteria counts were higher than during the previous sampling event.

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on April 8^th (geometric mean of 223 MPN/100 mL compared to 80 MPN/100 mL on 4/8). Fecal coliform counts were also higher in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling on April 8^th (geometric mean of 16 MPN/100 mL compared to 10 MPN/100 mL on 4/8).

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 13 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 20 MPN/100 mL at Phillipsdale Landing.

The next scheduled sampling date is May 6^th.

Summary of Rhode Island Bacteria Standards for Saltwater Primary Contact and Shellfishing

	Fecal Coliform	Enterococci
Primary Contact¹	Geometric mean ≤50 MPN/100 mL <10% of samples >400 MPN/100 mL	Geometric mean ≤35 colonies/100 mL All samples ≤104 colonies/100 mL²
Shellfishing	Geometric mean ≤14 MPN/100 mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL³	NO ENTEROCOCCI CRITERIA

¹Fecal coliform primary contact criteria applied only when adequate enterococci data are not available; ²Single sample maximum criterion for determining beach swimming advisories at designated beaches as evaluated by the Rhode Island Department of Health; ³For a three-tube decimal dilution.

Table adapted from Rhode Island Water Quality Regulations (250-RICR-150-05-1); see regulations for complete details.

April 8, 2026

On April 8^th, 2026, twenty stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers; four of these stations were also sampled for enterococci bacteria. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.26” of precipitation was recorded at TF Green. Overall, bacteria counts were slightly lower than during the previous sampling event.

Fecal coliform counts were similar in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on March 25^th (geometric mean of 80 MPN/100 mL compared to 88 MPN/100 mL on 3/25). Fecal coliform counts were lower in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling on March 25^th (geometric mean of 10 MPN/100 mL compared to 25 MPN/100 mL on 3/25).

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 13 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 41 MPN/100 mL at Point St. Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is April 23^rd.

Summary of Rhode Island Bacteria Standards for Saltwater Primary Contact and Shellfishing

	Fecal Coliform	Enterococci
Primary Contact¹	Geometric mean ≤50 MPN/100 mL <10% of samples >400 MPN/100 mL	Geometric mean ≤35 colonies/100 mL All samples ≤104 colonies/100 mL²
Shellfishing	Geometric mean ≤14 MPN/100 mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL³	NO ENTEROCOCCI CRITERIA

Table adapted from Rhode Island Water Quality Regulations (250-RICR-150-05-1); see regulations for complete details.

October 15, 2025

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on October 15, 2025, while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuary. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as good in all areas. The average chlorophyll concentrations were also categorized as good over all areas surveyed. Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 0.64 µg/L to 3.60 µg/L with an average of 1.57 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

October 1, 2025

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on October 1, 2025, while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuary. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as fair in the Seekonk River, and as good in all other areas. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as good over all areas surveyed. Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 2.07 µg/L to 10.16 µg/L with an average of 4.94 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

September 17, 2025

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on September 17, 2025, while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuary. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as good in the Northern Providence River Channel and the Seekonk River, and as fair in all other areas. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as fair over all areas surveyed. Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 0.98 µg/L to 20.49 µg/L with an average of 6.73 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

August 20, 2025

Nutrient samples were collected from six river stations and seven bay stations on August 20^th. All bay stations were sampled at the surface and bottom. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.01” 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 = 1,600 ppb, TDN = 1,650 ppb, DIN = 1,327.2 ppb). The lowest TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Moshassuck River @ Higginson Ave (TN = 674 ppb, TDN = 801 ppb, DIN = 629.8 ppb).

Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface TN was observed at Phillipsdale Landing (1,460 ppb). The highest TDN and DIN were observed at Pawtuxet Cove (TDN = 1,090 ppb, DIN = 796). The lowest surface TN and TDN were observed at Conimicut Point (TN = 482 ppb, TDN = 130 ppb). The lowest surface DIN was observed at four of the seven bay stations (13 ppb, reflecting minimum detection limits for DIN).

The next scheduled sampling date is September 3^rd, 2025.

September 10, 2025

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on September 10, 2025, while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuary. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as good in the Northern Providence River Channel and the Seekonk River, and as fair in all other areas. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as fair over all areas surveyed. Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 1.34 µg/L to 36.38 µg/L with an average of 6.79 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

September 3, 2025

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on September 3, 2025, while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuary. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as good in the Southern Providence River Channel, poor in the Seekonk River, and as fair in all other areas. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as fair over all areas surveyed. Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 2.31 µg/L to 38.36 µg/L with an average of 11.11 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

August 27, 2025

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on August 27, 2025, while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuary. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as good in the Northern Providence River Channel, poor in the Seekonk River, and as fair in all other areas. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as poor over all areas surveyed. Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 1.43 µg/L to 610.7 µg/L with an average of 30.00 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

August 13, 2025

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on August 13, 2025, while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuary. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as poor in the Seekonk River, and as fair in all other areas. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as poor over all areas surveyed. Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 2.01 µg/L to 610.0 µg/L with an average of 21.56 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.