Tara Franey

Walker Point

Overall, water quality at Walker Point was fair to good this week. Weather conditions were moderately rainy this week, with a total of 0.41 inches recorded at T.F. Green, with the majority of the rainfall occurring on October 16^th.  Blackstone River flow was highest on the 13^th and 14^th, above the 20-year daily median flow, before decreasing to close to the 20-year daily median flow later in the week. Salinity at Walker Point surface averaged 12.2 ppt and ranged from 5.3 ppt to 23.3 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 26.3 ppt and ranged from 20.4 ppt to 29.2 ppt. Temperatures this week averaged 15.8 °C at the surface and 17.3 °C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 12.6 °C to 17.2 °C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 16.5 °C to 17.9 °C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Walker Point remained above the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) at the surface and bottom for the entire week. Surface DO averaged 8.0 mg/L and ranged from 5.9 to 9.6 mg/L. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 4.8 mg/L and ranged from 3.4 mg/L to 6.0 mg/L. Chlorophyll ranged from low to mildly elevated levels throughout the week, averaging 2.0 ug/L at the surface and 2.9 ug/L at the bottom, with little evidence of any phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Maximum surface chlorophyll readings reached 9.4 ug/L on the afternoon of October 17^th. 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 October 15^th. Overall, water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 25.6 ppt, 28.4 ppt, and 30.7 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged from 22.4 to 28.0 ppt, mid salinity ranged from 25.5 to 30.4 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged from 28.1 to 32.0 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 16.6 °C and ranged from 14.2 °C to 18.2 °C. Mid temperatures averaged 16.7 °C and ranged from 14.6 °C to 17.3 °C. Bottom temperatures averaged 16.9 °C and ranged from 16.5 °C to 17.1 °C.

DO at Bullock Reach did not experience hypoxic conditions (i.e., DO < 2.9 mg/L) during the week. Surface DO averaged 7.3 mg/L and ranged from 6.5 to 8.6 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 7.0 mg/L and ranged from 5.8 to 7.6 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 6.4 mg/L and ranged from 5.8 to 7.5 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings remained low to moderately elevated this week, with evidence of a moderate  phytoplankton bloom occurring towards the end of the week. Readings averaged 1.9 µg/L at the surface, 4.3 µg/L at mid-depth, and 2.7 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum chlorophyll was observed in mid waters at 79.1µg/L on the morning of October 18^th.

Walker Point

Sondes were swapped this week on October 7^th. Overall, water quality at Walker Point was fair to good this week. Weather conditions were rainy this week, with a total of 2.33 inches recorded at T.F. Green, with all rainfall occurring on October 11^th.  Blackstone River flow decreased throughout the week, staying relatively close to the 20-year daily median flow, before increasingly significantly during the rain event on October 11^th. Salinity at Walker Point surface averaged 21.1 ppt and ranged from 11.3 ppt to 28.0 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 27.2 ppt and ranged from 23.1 ppt to 29.4 ppt. Temperatures this week averaged 17.5 °C at the surface and 18.0 °C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 15.5  °C to 19.0 °C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 17.6 °C to 18.5 °C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Walker Point remained above the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) at the surface and bottom for the entire week. Surface DO averaged 6.5 mg/L and ranged from 4.2 to 9.0 mg/L. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 4.8 mg/L and ranged from 3.3 mg/L to 6.1 mg/L. Chlorophyll ranged from low to mildly elevated levels throughout the week, averaging 2.9 ug/L at the surface and 3.6 ug/L at the bottom, with little evidence of any phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Maximum surface chlorophyll readings reached 9.5 ug/L on the afternoon of October 8^th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.

Bullock Reach

Overall, water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 27.9 ppt, 29.7 ppt, and 30.8 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged from 23.0 to 29.5 ppt, mid salinity ranged from 27.8 to 31.4 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged from 28.7 to 32.2 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 17.3 °C and ranged from 16.2 °C to 19.0 °C. Mid temperatures averaged 17.5 °C and ranged from 16.6 °C to 18.5 °C. Bottom temperatures averaged 17.5 °C and ranged from 16.6 °C to 18.3 °C.

DO at Bullock Reach did not experience hypoxic conditions (i.e., DO < 2.9 mg/L) during the week. Surface DO averaged 7.3 mg/L and ranged from 6.2 to 9.0 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 6.9 mg/L and ranged from 5.1 to 8.6 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 6.6 mg/L and ranged from 5.1 to 7.6 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings remained low, with no evidence of phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 3.9 µg/L at the surface, 5.8 µg/L at mid-depth, and 5.2 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 9.5 µg/L on the evening of October 8^th.

Walker Point

Overall, water quality at Walker Point was fair to good this week. Weather conditions were somewhat rainy this week, with a total of 0.51 inches recorded at T.F. Green, and the majority of rainfall occurring on the September 28^th.  Blackstone River flow was highest at the beginning of the week, substantially above the 20-year daily median flow, before decreasing steadily throughout the week, though still remaining above the 20-year daily median flow. Salinity at Walker Point surface averaged 11.8 ppt and ranged from 5.3 ppt to 23.7 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 27.0 ppt and ranged from 18.8 ppt to 30.1 ppt. Temperatures this week averaged 17.7 °C at the surface and 17.9 °C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 16.1  °C to 20.3°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 17.2 °C to 18.8 °C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Walker Point remained above the hypoxia threshold at the surface and bottom for the entire week. Surface DO averaged 7.3 mg/L and ranged from 5.6 to 8.9 mg/L. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 5.1 mg/L and ranged from 3.5 mg/L to 6.0 mg/L. Chlorophyll ranged from low to mildly elevated levels throughout the week, averaging 1.5 ug/L at the surface and 0 ug/L at the bottom, with little evidence of any phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Maximum surface chlorophyll readings reached 15.8 ug/L on the afternoon of October 2^nd. 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 September 29^th. Overall, water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. The sonde swap replaced malfunctioning sensors on the bottom sonde, making bottom data available starting on the morning of September 29^th. Salinity averaged 24.5 ppt, 29.6 ppt, and 31.4 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged from 19.8 to 28.1 ppt, mid salinity ranged from 23.4 to 31.6 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged from 30.1 to 32.1 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 18.1 °C and ranged from 16.7 °C to 19.9 °C. Mid temperatures averaged 17.9 °C and ranged from 17.5 °C to 19.2 °C. Bottom temperatures averaged 17.8 °C and ranged from 17.5 °C to 18.1 °C.

DO at Bullock Reach did not experience hypoxic conditions (i.e., DO < 2.9 mg/L) during the week. Surface DO averaged 7.5 mg/L and ranged from 6.3 to 8.9 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 6.6 mg/L and ranged from 5.3 to 7.6 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 6.0 mg/L and ranged from 4.8 to 6.9 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to slightly elevated, with evidence of mild phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 4.9 µg/L at the surface, 4.1 µg/L at mid-depth, and 3.9 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 9.9 µg/L on the afternoon of October 1^st.

Walker Point

Sondes were swapped this week on September 22^nd. Overall, water quality at Walker Point was poor to good this week. Weather conditions were rainy this week, with a total of 3.77 inches recorded at T.F. Green, and the majority of rainfall occurring on the 26^th and 27^th.  Blackstone River flow remained relatively steady until the 26^th, under the 20-year daily median flow, before increasing substantially on the 26^th and 27^th. Salinity at Walker Point surface averaged 23.6 ppt and ranged from 15.8 ppt to 30.5 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 29.2 ppt and ranged from 22.0 ppt to 31.3 ppt. Temperatures this week averaged 18.7 °C at the surface and 19.9 °C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 16.6  °C to 20.8°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 17.2 °C to 21.9 °C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Walker Point remained above the hypoxia threshold at the surface, but below the hypoxia threshold at the bottom for portions of the week. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the bottom for extended periods on September 21^st – 23^rd. Surface DO averaged 6.4 mg/L and ranged from 4.3 to 9.1 mg/L. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 3.9 mg/L and ranged from 1.4 mg/L to 6.7 mg/L. Chlorophyll ranged from low to mildly elevated levels throughout the week, averaging 5.8 ug/L at the surface and 1.7 ug/L at the bottom, with evidence of small phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Maximum surface chlorophyll readings reached 18.4 ug/L on the early morning of September 21^st. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.

Bullock Reach

Overall, water quality ranged from fair to good at Bullock Reach this week. Bottom data is not available much of the week (starting on September 22^nd), as multiple sensors stopped recording reliable data. Salinity averaged 28.8 ppt, 29.9 ppt, and 31.5 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged from 24.6 to 30.5 ppt, mid salinity ranged from 27.6 to 31.4 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged from 29.2 to 33.3 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 19.0 °C and ranged from 17.2 °C to 21.1 °C. Mid temperatures averaged 19.1 °C and ranged from 17.4 °C to 20.9 °C. Bottom temperatures averaged 20.5 °C and ranged from 19.9 °C to 21.2 °C.

DO at Bullock Reach did not experience hypoxic conditions (i.e., DO < 2.9 mg/L) during the week. Surface DO averaged 7.0 mg/L and ranged from 5.9 to 8.2 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 7.0 mg/L and ranged from 5.6 to 7.7 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 4.5 mg/L and ranged from 3.3 to 6.3 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to moderate, with evidence of mild phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 4.9 µg/L at the surface, 7.0 µg/L at mid-depth, and 4.2 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 9.9 µg/L on the evening of September 24^th.

Walker Point

Overall, water quality at Walker Point was poor to good this week. Weather conditions were mildly rainy this week, with a total of 0.24 inches recorded at T.F. Green, and the majority of rainfall occurring on the 20^th.  Blackstone River flow was highest on the 14^th, around the 20-year daily median flow, and then decreased throughout the rest of the week. Salinity at Walker Point surface averaged 20.8 ppt and ranged from 12.8 ppt to 27.2 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 27.3 ppt and ranged from 21.1 ppt to 30.0 ppt. Temperatures this week averaged 21.9 °C at the surface and 22.5 °C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 19.8 °C to 24.6°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 21.8 °C to 23.4 °C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Walker Point remained above the hypoxia threshold at the surface, but below the hypoxia threshold at the bottom for portions of the week. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the bottom briefly on the 15^th, 16^th, and 18^th, as well for a more extended period on September 19^th and 20^th. Surface DO averaged 8.7 mg/L and ranged from 4.1 to 18.3 mg/L. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 3.9 mg/L and ranged from 1.4 mg/L to 8.3 mg/L. Chlorophyll ranged from low to elevated levels throughout the week, averaging 25.1 ug/L at the surface and 13.4 ug/L at the bottom, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Maximum surface chlorophyll readings reached 74.0 ug/L on the evening of September 17^th. 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 September 16^th. Overall, water quality ranged from fair to good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 26.9 ppt, 29.3 ppt, and 31.7 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged from 22.5 to 28.4 ppt, mid salinity ranged from 26.8 to 31.2 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged from 30.1 to 32.5 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 21.9 °C and ranged from 20.6 °C to 23.8 °C. Mid temperatures averaged 21.9 °C and ranged from 20.7 °C to 23.2 °C. Bottom temperatures averaged 21.4 °C and ranged from 20.9 °C to 22.2 °C.

DO at Bullock Reach did not experience hypoxic conditions (i.e., DO < 2.9 mg/L) during the week. Surface DO averaged 7.6 mg/L and ranged from 5.6 to 9.8 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 6.3 mg/L and ranged from 4.1 to 8.6 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 4.6 mg/L and ranged from 3.2 to 6.6 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to moderate, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 7.8 µg/L at the surface, 7.9 µg/L at mid-depth, and 3.8 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 20.0 µg/L on the afternoon of September 16^th.

Walker Point

Sondes were swapped this week on September 9^th. Overall, water quality at Walker Point was poor to good this week. Weather conditions were extremely rainy this week, with a total of 4.20 inches recorded at T.F. Green, and the majority of rainfall occurring on the 13^th.  Blackstone River flow was substantially lower than the 20-year daily median flow until September 13^th, where flows increased to above the 20-year daily median. Salinity at Walker Point surface averaged 24.7 ppt and ranged from 16.5 ppt to 28.9 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 28.0 ppt and ranged from 14.9 ppt to 30.2 ppt. Temperatures this week averaged 22.6 °C at the surface and 22.7 °C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 20.8  °C to 24.2°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 21.7 °C to 23.9 °C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Walker Point remained above the hypoxia threshold  at the surface for almost the entire week, but below the hypoxia threshold at the bottom for a portion of the time at the beginning of the week. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the surface only briefly on the morning of September 9^th. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the bottom for most of the morning and early of afternoon of September 7^th, as well for briefer, more intermittent periods on September 8^th and 9^th. Surface DO averaged 6.3 mg/L and ranged from 2.5 to 12.1 mg/L. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 4.5 mg/L and ranged from 1.5 mg/L to 9.1 mg/L. Chlorophyll ranged from low to elevated levels throughout the week, averaging 14.6 ug/L at the surface and 17.9 ug/L at the bottom, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Maximum surface chlorophyll readings reached 41.4 ug/L on the afternoon of September 12^th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.

Bullock Reach

Overall, water quality ranged from fair to good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 29.2 ppt, 30.7 ppt, and 31.8 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged from 26.3 to 30.2 ppt, mid salinity ranged from 29.1 to 31.9 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged from 30.7 to 32.7 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 22.3 °C and ranged from 21.1 °C to 23.8 °C. Mid temperatures averaged 22.1 °C and ranged from 21.2 °C to 22.8 °C. Bottom temperatures averaged 21.8 °C and ranged from 21.0 °C to 22.7 °C.

DO at Bullock Reach did not experience hypoxic conditions (i.e., DO < 2.9 mg/L) during the week. Surface DO averaged 7.2 mg/L and ranged from 5.5 to 9.7 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 6.2 mg/L and ranged from 3.4 to 9.3 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 5.2 mg/L and ranged from 3.3 to 6.9 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 12.1 µg/L at the surface, 13.9 µg/L at mid-depth, and 8.5 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 35.8 µg/L on the afternoon of September 12^th.

Walker Point

Overall, water quality at Walker Point was poor to good this week. Weather conditions were moderately rainy this week, with a total of 0.98 inches recorded at T.F. Green, and the majority of rainfall occurring on 1^st.  Blackstone River flow was highest on September 3^rd, where the flow was somewhat higher than the 20-year daily median flow. Flow decreased after the 3^rd. Salinity at Walker Point surface averaged 21.3 ppt and ranged from 15.0 ppt to 27.5 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 27.0 ppt and ranged from 21.9 ppt to 29.8 ppt. Temperatures this week averaged 23.4 °C at the surface and 23.2 °C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 21.8  °C to 25.6°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 22.1 °C to 24.1 °C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Walker Point remained above the hypoxia threshold  at the surface for most of the week, but below the hypoxia threshold at the bottom for much of the time, especially towards the end of the week. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the surface on the mornings of September 2^nd and September 4^th. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the bottom intermittently on August 31^st, and for extended periods from September 1^st – 6^th, including one period lasting from 12:45 AM on September 4^th to 3:15 PM on September 6^th (a duration of 62 hours). Surface DO averaged 5.9 mg/L and ranged from 1.3 to 15.3 mg/L. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 2.5 mg/L and ranged from 0.8 mg/L to 5.2 mg/L. Chlorophyll ranged from low to elevated levels throughout the week, averaging 13.8 ug/L at the surface and 3.1 ug/L at the bottom, with evidence of substantial phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Maximum surface chlorophyll readings reached 53.1 ug/L on the afternoon of September 5^th. 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 September 1^st. Overall, water quality ranged from fair to good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 27.9 ppt, 29.8 ppt, and 31.5 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged from 26.0 to 29.4 ppt, mid salinity ranged from 27.8 to 31.7 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged from 29.9 to 32.6 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 23.0 °C and ranged from 21.9 °C to 24.5 °C. Mid temperatures averaged 22.6 °C and ranged from 21.5 °C to 23.6 °C. Bottom temperatures averaged 22.0 °C and ranged from 21.0 °C to 23.1 °C.

DO at Bullock Reach did not experience hypoxic conditions (i.e., DO < 2.9 mg/L) during the week. Surface DO averaged 7.1 mg/L and ranged from 4.8 to 11.3 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 5.4 mg/L and ranged from 3.6 to 8.1 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 4.2 mg/L and ranged from 3.3 to 6.0 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to moderate, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 14.4 µg/L at the surface, 11.9 µg/L at mid-depth, and 5.0 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 55.6 µg/L on the morning of September 5^th.

Walker Point

Sondes were swapped this week on August 25^th. Overall, water quality at Walker Point was poor to good this week. Weather conditions were mildly rainy this week, with a total of 0.44 inches recorded at T.F. Green, and the majority of rainfall occurring on the 30^th.  Blackstone River flow was highest on August 24^th, where the flow was similar to the 20-year daily median flow. Flow dropped throughout the week, remaining below the 20-year daily median value. Salinity at the surface averaged 21.2 ppt and ranged from 7.6 ppt to 27.3 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 27.2 ppt and ranged from 23.3 ppt to 29.3 ppt. Temperatures this week averaged 24.2 °C at the surface and 23.5 °C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 22.3  °C to 26.8°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 23.5 °C to 24.7 °C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Walker Point remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) at the surface during the entire week, but below the hypoxia threshold at the bottom for much of the time, especially towards the beginning of the week. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the bottom for extended periods from August 24^th – 27^th, but only briefly from August 28^th – 30^th (morning of August 30^th). Surface DO averaged 9.5 mg/L and ranged from 4.2 to 22.9 mg/L. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 3.2 mg/L and ranged from 0 mg/L to 7.9 mg/L. Chlorophyll ranged from low to elevated levels throughout the week, averaging 14.1 ug/L at the surface and 8.7 ug/L at the bottom, with evidence of substantial phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Maximum surface chlorophyll readings reached 110.6 ug/L on the afternoon of August 26^th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.

Bullock Reach

Overall, water quality ranged from poor to good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 28.2 ppt, 29.7 ppt, and 31.1 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged from 26.4 to 29.3 ppt, mid salinity ranged from 27.6 to 30.7 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged from 29.9 to 32.2 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 23.7 °C and ranged from 22.3 °C to 25.3 °C. Mid temperatures averaged 23.2 °C and ranged from 22.1 °C to 24.7 °C. Bottom temperatures averaged 22.2 °C and ranged from 20.7 °C to 23.8 °C.

DO at Bullock Reach experienced hypoxic conditions (i.e., DO < 2.9 mg/L) briefly in mid waters on the morning of August 24^th. Bottom waters experienced hypoxic conditions for a majority of the time from the morning of August 24^th to the afternoon of August 25^th, with hypoxic conditions also observed intermittently from August 26^th– August 29^th. Surface DO averaged 8.1 mg/L and ranged from 5.0 to 11.9 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 6.1 mg/L and ranged from 2.5 to 9.4 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 3.7 mg/L and ranged from 2.1 to 7.0 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to moderate, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 9.7 µg/L at the surface, 12.7 µg/L at mid-depth, and 3.8 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 19.6 µg/L on the morning of August 26^th.

Walker Point

Overall, water quality at Walker Point was poor to good this week. Weather conditions were moderately rainy this week, with a total of 1.33 inches recorded at T.F. Green, and the majority of rainfall occurring on the 21^st.  Blackstone River flow was highest on August August 23^rd, where the flow slightly exceeded the 20-year daily median flow. Flow previous in the week was below the 20-year daily median value. Salinity at the surface averaged 20.6 ppt and ranged from 13.8 ppt to 27.4 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 27.8 ppt and ranged from 24.1 ppt to 30.4 ppt. Temperatures this week averaged 23.9 °C at the surface and 24.0 °C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 21.7  °C to 26.3°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 22.2 °C to 25.1 °C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Walker Point remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) at the surface for most of the week, but below the hypoxia threshold at the bottom for much of the time, especially towards the beginning of the week. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the surface briefly during the mornings of August 19^th, August 22^nd, and August 23^rd, August 15^th, and August 16^th, with a more extended hypoxic period was observed on the morning of August 18^th, lasting approximately 2.5 hours. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the bottom for almost the entirety of August 18^th – 24^th, and in intermittent periods on August 17^th. Surface DO averaged 7.3 mg/L and ranged from 1.2 to 20.4 mg/L. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 1.0 mg/L and ranged from 0 mg/L to 4.2 mg/L. Chlorophyll ranged from low to very elevated levels throughout the week, averaging 26.7 ug/L at the surface and 22.4 ug/L at the bottom, with evidence of substantial phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Maximum surface chlorophyll readings reached 467.0 ug/L on the afternoon of August 23^rd. 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 August 18^th. Overall, water quality ranged from poor to good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 27.6 ppt, 29.3 ppt, and 31.2 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged from 25.8 to 29.4 ppt, mid salinity ranged from 27.6 to 31.1 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged from 26.5 to 32.4 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 24.0 °C and ranged from 22.0 °C to 25.9 °C. Mid temperatures averaged 23.6 °C and ranged from 22.0 °C to 25.2 °C. Bottom temperatures averaged 22.5 °C and ranged from 20.5 °C to 24.1 °C.

DO at Bullock Reach experienced hypoxic conditions (i.e., DO < 2.9 mg/L) intermittently in both middle and bottom waters. Surface DO averaged 6.2 mg/L and ranged from 3.1 to 10.8 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 4.9 mg/L and ranged from 2.6 to 7.7 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 3.7 mg/L and ranged 2.3 to 5.5 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to moderate, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 9.2 µg/L at the surface, 10.9 µg/L at mid-depth, and 3.5 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 31.7 µg/L on the afternoon of August 17^th.

Walker Point

Sondes were swapped this week on August 12^th. Overall, water quality at Walker Point was poor to good this week. Weather conditions were mildly rainy this week, with a total of 0.26 inches recorded at T.F. Green, and the majority of rainfall occurring on the 13^rd.  Blackstone River flow was highest on August 10^th, where the flow slightly exceeded the 20-year daily median flow, and flow declined over the rest of the week, falling below the 20-year daily median value. Salinity at the surface averaged 21.8 ppt and ranged from 11.0 ppt to 27.9 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 26.5 ppt and ranged from 23.4 ppt to 28.5 ppt. Temperatures this week averaged 25.3 °C at the surface and 24.7 °C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 23.2  °C to 27.7 °C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 23.8 °C to 25.8 °C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Walker Point remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) at the surface, but below the hypoxia threshold at the bottom for much of the time, especially towards the beginning of the week. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the surface briefly during the mornings of August 10^th, August 12^th, August 14^th, August 15^th, and August 16^th. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the bottom for almost the entirety of August 10^th and 11^th, and in intermittent periods for the rest of the week. Surface DO averaged 7.3 mg/L and ranged from 2.5 to 15.6 mg/L. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 2.7 mg/L and ranged from 0.1 mg/L to 8.4 mg/L. Chlorophyll ranged from low to elevated levels throughout the week, averaging 12.2 ug/L at the surface and 16.4 ug/L at the bottom, with evidence of substantial phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Maximum surface chlorophyll readings reached 113.0 ug/L on the afternoon of August 13^th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.

Bullock Reach

Overall, water quality ranged from poor to good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 27.2 ppt, 29.5 ppt, and 31.5 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged from 22.1 to 29.1 ppt, mid salinity ranged from 26.7 to 31.1 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged from 28.2 to 32.4 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 25.3 °C and ranged from 24.0 °C to 27.2 °C. Mid temperatures averaged 24.4 °C and ranged from 23.1 °C to 26.0 °C. Bottom temperatures averaged 23.3 °C and ranged from 22.3 °C to 24.8 °C.

DO at Bullock Reach experienced hypoxic conditions (i.e., DO < 2.9 mg/L) towards the beginning of  the week in both middle and bottom waters. Surface DO averaged 7.2 mg/L and ranged from 3.8 to 11.3 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 4.4 mg/L and ranged from 1.6 to 8.2 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 3.2 mg/L and ranged 2.0 to 5.7 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to moderate, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 12.3 µg/L at the surface, 11.6 µg/L at mid-depth, and 6.7 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 44.7 µg/L on the afternoon of August 12^th.