Tara Franey

September 21 – September 27, 2026

Walker Point

Sondes were swapped this week on September 22nd. 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 26th and 27th.  Blackstone River flow remained relatively steady until the 26th, under the 20-year daily median flow, before increasing substantially on the 26th and 27th. 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 21st – 23rd. 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 21st. 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 22nd), 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 24th.

September 14 – September 20, 2026

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 20th.  Blackstone River flow was highest on the 14th, 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 15th, 16th, and 18th, as well for a more extended period on September 19th and 20th. 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 17th. 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 16th. 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 16th.

September 7 – September 13 2026

Walker Point

Sondes were swapped this week on September 9th. 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 13th.  Blackstone River flow was substantially lower than the 20-year daily median flow until September 13th, 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 9th. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the bottom for most of the morning and early of afternoon of September 7th, as well for briefer, more intermittent periods on September 8th and 9th. 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 12th. 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 12th.

August 31 – September 6, 2026

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 1st.  Blackstone River flow was highest on September 3rd, where the flow was somewhat higher than the 20-year daily median flow. Flow decreased after the 3rd. 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 2nd and September 4th. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the bottom intermittently on August 31st, and for extended periods from September 1st – 6th, including one period lasting from 12:45 AM on September 4th to 3:15 PM on September 6th (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 5th. 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 1st. 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 5th.

August 24 – August 30, 2026

Walker Point

Sondes were swapped this week on August 25th. 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 30th.  Blackstone River flow was highest on August 24th, 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 24th – 27th, but only briefly from August 28th – 30th (morning of August 30th). 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 26th. 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 24th. Bottom waters experienced hypoxic conditions for a majority of the time from the morning of August 24th to the afternoon of August 25th, with hypoxic conditions also observed intermittently from August 26th– August 29th. 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 26th.

August 17 – August 23, 2026

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 21st.  Blackstone River flow was highest on August August 23rd, 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 19th, August 22nd, and August 23rd, August 15th, and August 16th, with a more extended hypoxic period was observed on the morning of August 18th, lasting approximately 2.5 hours. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the bottom for almost the entirety of August 18th – 24th, and in intermittent periods on August 17th. 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 23rd. 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 18th. 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 17th.

August 10 – August 16, 2026

Walker Point

Sondes were swapped this week on August 12th. 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 13rd.  Blackstone River flow was highest on August 10th, 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 10th, August 12th, August 14th, August 15th, and August 16th. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the bottom for almost the entirety of August 10th and 11th, 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 13th. 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 12th.

August 3 – August 9, 2026

Walker Point

Overall, water quality at Walker Point was poor this week. Weather conditions were rainy this week, with a total of 2.52 inches recorded at T.F. Green, and the majority of rainfall occurring on the 3rd.  Blackstone River flow reached its peak on August 4th, where the flow greatly exceeded the 20-year daily median flow, and flow remained above the 20-year daily median value for the rest of the week.   Salinity at the surface averaged 11.3 ppt and ranged from 3.6 ppt to 22.5 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 24.3 ppt and ranged from 18.4 ppt to 28.5 ppt. Temperatures this week averaged 26.0 °C at the surface and 24.4 °C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 23.7  °C to 29.8 °C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 23.7 °C to 25.4 °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 most of the week. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the surface briefly during the morning on August 3rd. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the bottom for almost the entire week. Surface DO averaged 9.5 mg/L and ranged from 2.8 to 19.3 mg/L. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 1.6 mg/L and ranged from 0.1 mg/L to 3.9 mg/L. Chlorophyll ranged from low to elevated levels throughout the week, averaging 18.0 ug/L at the surface and 3.5 ug/L at the bottom, with evidence of substantial phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Maximum surface chlorophyll readings reached 157.4 ug/L on the morning of August 9th. 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 4th. Overall, water quality ranged from fair to good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 23.8 ppt, 28.0 ppt, and 31.1 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged from 19.9 to 28.7 ppt, mid salinity ranged from 24.1 to 31.0 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged from 28.7 to 32.3 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 26.1 °C and ranged from 24.1 °C to 28.5 °C. Mid temperatures averaged 24.7 °C and ranged from 23.1 °C to 27.0 °C. Bottom temperatures averaged 23.2 °C and ranged from 22.3 °C to 24.7 °C.

DO at Bullock Reach experienced hypoxic conditions (i.e., DO < 2.9 mg/L) towards the end of  the week in both middle and bottom waters. Surface DO averaged 8.1 mg/L and ranged from 4.9 to 14.2 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 4.9 mg/L and ranged from 1.1 to 8.4 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 3.6 mg/L and ranged 1.8 to 7.4 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to moderate, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 15.5 µg/L at the surface, 14.8 µg/L at mid-depth, and 4.9 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 37.2 µg/L on the afternoon of August 5th.

July 27 – August 2, 2026

Walker Point

Sondes were swapped this week on July 28th. Overall, water quality at Walker Point was poor this week. Weather conditions were rainy this week, with a total of 1.25 inches recorded at T.F. Green, and the majority of rainfall occurring on the 29th.  Blackstone River flow reached its peak on July 30th, where the flow greatly exceeded the 20-year daily median flow, and flow remained above the 20-year daily median value for the rest of the week.   Salinity at the surface averaged 17.7 ppt and ranged from 7.5 ppt to 27.4 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 26.7 ppt and ranged from 21.6 ppt to 29.4 ppt. Temperatures this week averaged 24.2 °C at the surface and 26.2 °C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 22.4  °C to 26.2 °C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 22.6 °C to 24.6 °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 a substantial portion of the week. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the bottom for most of July 27th, 28th, August 1st, and August 2nd. Hypoxic conditions occurred intermittently on other days of the week. Surface DO averaged 7.7 mg/L and ranged from 3.5 to 15.1 mg/L. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 2.5 mg/L and ranged from 0.5 mg/L to 6.1 mg/L. Chlorophyll ranged from low to elevated levels throughout the week, averaging 16.2 ug/L at the surface and 5.6 ug/L at the bottom, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Maximum surface chlorophyll readings reached 66.4 ug/L on the afternoon of August 2nd. 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 4th. Overall, water quality ranged from por to good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 27.9 ppt, 29.5 ppt, and 31.0 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged from 24.9 to 29.6 ppt, mid salinity ranged from 29.5 to 31.5 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged from 27.3 to 32.5 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 23.9 °C and ranged from 22.8 °C to 25.4 °C. Mid temperatures averaged 23.5 °C and ranged from 21.5 °C to 24.8 °C. Bottom temperatures averaged 22.5 °C and ranged from 20.2 °C to 24.1 °C. DO at Bullock Reach experienced hypoxic conditions (i.e., DO < 2.9 mg/L) towards the beginning of  the week in bottom waters, but otherwise did not experience hypoxic conditions. Surface DO averaged 7.2 mg/L and ranged from 5.0 to 11.4 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 5.9 mg/L and ranged from 3.3 to 9.1 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 4.3 mg/L and ranged 2.2 to 7.6 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to moderate, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 10.1 µg/L at the surface, 13.0 µg/L at mid-depth, and 4.5 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 26.8 µg/L on the afternoon of August 2nd.

July 30, 2026

On July 30th, 2026, twenty stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers; five of these stations were also sampled for enterococci bacteria. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.72 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green.

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on July 30th (geometric mean of 1,615 MPN/100 mL compared to 204 MPN/100 mL on 7/15). Fecal coliform counts were also higher in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling (geometric mean of 8 MPN/100 mL on July 15th compared to 63 on July 30th). 

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 111 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at Conimicut Point to 1,842 MPN/100 mL at Point St Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is August 12th.

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

 ​​​Fec​al Co​li​fo​r​mEnterococci
Primary
Con​​​t​a​c​t1​​​​​
Geom​e​tric ​m​e​a​n​ ≤50​ MPN/1​​00​ mL​
<10% ​o​f​​ samples >4​00 MPN/100 ​mL
Geom​etric mean ≤35 colo​nies​/100 mL​
All sa​mples ≤104 colonies/100 ​​mL2
ShellfishingGeometr​ic mean ≤14 MPN/100​ mL
<10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL3​
NO ENTEROCOCCI CR​ITERIA​

1Fecal coliform primary contact criteria app​lied 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.​​​​​​​​​​

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