Fixed-Site Network

​Phillipsdale Landing

The Phillipsdale Landing sondes have been deployed for the season since April 2nd, 2024. Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. Weather conditions were wet this week, with a total of 2.22 inches recorded at T.F. Green, and the majority of rainfall occurring between the 2nd and 4th.  The Blackstone River flow increased during the 4th and remained above the 19-year daily median for the week. Salinity at the surface averaged 1.8 ppt and ranged from 0.2 ppt to 5.7 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 9.2 ppt and ranged from 0.2 ppt to 27.6 ppt. Temperatures this week averaged 7.4°C at the surface and 6.7°C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 5.8°C to 9.9°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 5.6°C to 8.9°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 12.2 mg/L and ranged from 11.0-13.5 mg/L. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 11.6 mg/L and ranged from 9.2 mg/L to 13.6 mg/L. Chlorophyll remained low, averaging 1.6 ug/L at the surface and 3.1 ug/L at the bottom. Maximum surface chlorophyll readings reached 4.3 ug/L, recorded on the morning of April 4th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location. Also, please note that an early portion of the bottom data is not included in the summary above due to bottom deployment getting into position.

Bullock Reach

The Bullock Reach Buoy remains out of the water for the winter.  EM will coordinate with RIDEM to redeploy the buoy in late spring.

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On the morning of December 4th, the Phillipsdale Landing sondes were successfully removed for the 2023 season! For the one day of data available this week, water quality remained good, with similar conditions to last week.

The sondes at Bullock Reach were retrieved on November 14th for the 2023 season.

Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, water quality was good at Phillipsdale Landing this week. There were 0.74 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green this week, and Blackstone flows continued to be higher than normal for this time of year. Surface salinity averaged 8.0 ppt and ranged from 3.2 ppt to 20.4 ppt. Bottom salinity averaged 19.8 ppt and ranged from 6.2 ppt to 27.2 ppt. Temperatures continued to decline, averaging 6.4°C at the surface and ranging from 3.6°C to 8.8°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 8.5°C and ranged from 5.5°C to 10.1°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold of 2.9 mg/L at both the surface and bottom all week. Surface DO was similar to last week, averaging 10.9 mg/L and ranging from 8.8 to 12.4 mg/L. Bottom DO averaged 8.7 mg/L and ranged from 7.3 mg/L to 11.0 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings remained mostly low with a few slightly elevated readings at the bottom. Chlorophyll averaged 0.6 ug/L at the surface and 1.9 ug/L at the bottom. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location. 

Bullock Reach

The sondes at Bullock Reach have been retrieved for the 2023 season. 

Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, water quality was good at Phillipsdale Landing this week. There were 1.82 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green this week, 1.71 of which occurred on 11/22. Blackstone flows were higher than historical averages all week, but particularly following the 11/22 rain event. Surface salinity averaged 8.8 ppt and ranged from 2.9 ppt to 20.7 ppt. Bottom salinity averaged 21.4 ppt and ranged from 6.5 ppt to 27.7 ppt. Temperatures continued to decline, averaging 8.1°C at the surface and ranging from 5.1°C to 10.5°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 10.4°C and ranged from 7.2°C to 12.4°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold of 2.9 mg/L at both the surface and bottom all week. Surface DO was slightly higher than the previous week, averaging 10.2 mg/L and ranging from 8.3 to 11.8 mg/L. Bottom DO averaged 7.8 mg/L and ranged from 6.4 mg/L to 11.1 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings remained low, averaging 0.6 ug/L at the surface and 2.6 ug/L at the bottom. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location. 

Bullock Reach 

The sondes at Bullock Reach have been retrieved for the 2023 season. 

​Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, water quality was good at Phillipsdale Landing this week. There were 0.16 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green this week and Blackstone River flow was slightly higher than normal for this time of year. Surface salinity averaged 13.7 ppt and ranged from 3.7 ppt to 22.6 ppt. Bottom salinity averaged 22.9 ppt and ranged from 11.8 ppt to 28.3 ppt. Temperatures were slightly lower than last week, averaging 10.4°C at the surface and ranging from 7.9°C to 12.4°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 12.4°C and ranged from 10.5°C to 14.0°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold of 2.9 mg/L at both the surface and bottom all week. Surface DO remained similar to the previous week, averaging 8.9 mg/L and ranging from 6.7 to 11.0 mg/L. Bottom DO averaged 6.8 mg/L and ranged from 5.4 mg/L to 8.8 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings remained low, averaging 0.6 ug/L at the surface and 1.3 ug/L at the bottom. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location. 

Bullock Reach 

The sondes at Bullock Reach were retrieved on the morning of November 14th for the 2023 season. For the two and half days of data this week before retrieval, water quality was good. Salinity averaged 25.7 ppt, 27.9 ppt, and 29.8 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 23.5 – 27.9 ppt, mid salinity ranged 25.1 – 29.7 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 29.0 – 30.4 ppt. Surface temperatures averaged 11.4°C and ranged from 10.2°C to 12.4°C. Mid temperatures averaged 12.4°C and ranged from 11.3°C to 13.2°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 13.2°C and ranged from 12.5°C to 13.7°C.

DO concentrations at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold all week. Surface DO averaged 8.0 mg/L and ranged 7.4 – 8.8 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 7.5 mg/L and ranged 7.1 – 8.1 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 7.1 mg/L and ranged 6.7 – 7.5 mg/L.  Chlorophyll concentrations were low, averaging 1.2 ug/L, 1.9 ug/L, and 1.3 ug/L at the surface, mid, and bottom waters, respectively. ​

Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, water quality was good at Phillipsdale Landing this week. Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of November 7th. There were 0.18 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green this week. Blackstone River flow was higher than normal for this time of year. Surface salinity averaged 5.9 ppt and ranged from 2.0 ppt to 19.3 ppt. Bottom salinity averaged 21.1 ppt and ranged from 4.6 ppt to 28.3 ppt. Temperatures decreased this week, averaging 10.6°C at the surface and ranging from 8.1°C to 12.6°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 13.5°C and ranged from 10.5°C to 15.3°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold of 2.9 mg/L at both the surface and bottom all week. Surface DO remained similar to the previous week, averaging 9.8 mg/L and ranging from 7.2 to 10.8 mg/L. Bottom DO averaged 5.9 mg/L and ranged from 4.0 mg/L to 10.0 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings remained low, averaging 0.6 ug/L at the surface and 0.9 ug/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface was only 1.0 ug/L. 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 24.4 ppt, 27.5 ppt, and 29.7 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 18.5 – 27.2 ppt, mid salinity ranged 24.0 – 29.9 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 28.2 – 30.7 ppt. Surface temperatures averaged 12.8°C and ranged from 10.7°C to 14.1°C. Mid temperatures averaged 13.4°C and ranged from 12.3°C to 14.3°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 14.2°C and ranged from 13.3°C to 14.8°C.

DO concentrations at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold all week. Surface DO averaged 7.8 mg/L and ranged 6.8 – 9.5 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 7.3 mg/L and ranged 6.3 – 8.0 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 6.7 mg/L and ranged 5.6 – 7.3 mg/L.  Chlorophyll concentrations were low, averaging 2.0 ug/L, 2.5 ug/L, and 2.1 ug/L at the surface, mid, and bottom waters, respectively. The maximum surface chlorophyll of 5.0 ug/L occurred during the afternoon on November 5th.​

Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, water quality was good at Phillipsdale Landing this week. There were 1.14 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green this week, mostly from rain events on the 29th and 30th. Blackstone River flow was higher than normal for this time of year. Surface salinity averaged 8.7 ppt and ranged from 2.0 ppt to 21.8 ppt. Bottom salinity averaged 20.5 ppt and ranged from 6.1 ppt to 27.9 ppt. Temperatures decreased this week, averaging 13.0°C at the surface and ranging from 8.8°C to 16.5°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 15.0°C and ranged from 11.2°C to 16.7°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold of 2.9 mg/L at both the surface and bottom. Surface DO remained similar to the previous week, averaging 8.7 mg/L and ranging from 5.6 to 11.1 mg/L. Bottom DO averaged 5.9 mg/L and ranged from 4.6 mg/L to 10.0 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings remained low, averaging 0.9 ug/L at the surface and 0.8 ug/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface was only 3.5 ug/L, recorded on the morning of October 29th. . 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 October 31. Overall, water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 23.9 ppt, 27.3 ppt, and 29.4 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 20.4 – 27.5 ppt, mid salinity ranged 23.0 – 29.3 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 27.8 – 30.4 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 14.3°C and ranged from 11.6°C to 17.0°C. Mid temperatures averaged 15.2°C and ranged from 13.6°C to 16.8°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 15.6°C and ranged from 13.9°C to 16.2°C.

DO concentrations at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold all week. Surface DO averaged 7.3 mg/L and ranged 6.2 – 8.9 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 6.8 mg/L and ranged 5.8 – 9.5 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 6.5 mg/L and ranged 5.9 – 7.2 mg/L.  Chlorophyll concentrations were low, averaging 1.9 ug/L, 2.5 ug/L, and 1.6 ug/L at the surface, mid, and bottom waters, respectively. The maximum surface chlorophyll of 4.7 ug/L occurred during the afternoon on November 4th.​

​Phillipsdale Landing

The Phillipsdale Landing sondes have been deployed for the season since May 9^th, 2023 utilizing a new setup allowing staff access to the equipment from the boat instead of standing on the dock. During the month of October, sondes were changed out for routine maintenance on October 10^th and 24^th. 

Surface DO remained above the hypoxia threshold all month. The bottom waters were hypoxic periodically throughout the month, with the longest sustained hypoxic periods (8 hours) occurring in the early morning of October 14^th. DO averaged 8.4 mg/L at the surface with a minimum of 4.9 mg/L, while bottom waters averaged 5.5 mg/L with a minimum of 2.3 mg/L. 

Chlorophyll readings were relatively low all month with a couple of moderately elevated readings in the bottom waters. The surface and bottom readings averaged 1.1 µg/L and 1.5 µg/L, respectively. 

Bullock Reach

The Bullock Reach buoy was deployed June 1^st for the 2023 season. During the month of October, sondes were changed out for routine maintenance on October 3^rd, 17^th, and 31^st. 

DO remained above the hypoxia threshold all month at the surface, middle, and bottom and averaged 7.7 mg/L, 6.7 mg/L, and 5.8 mg/L, respectively.

Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the month and some highly elevated (>200 ug/L) chlorophyll levels at the middle sonde throughout the day on October 16^th. Readings averaged 6.5 µg/L at the surface, 18.3 µg/L at mid-depth, and 3.1 µg/L at the bottom. 

Please note that data from the Bullock Reach Surface sonde were not available between 11:15am on October 21^st and 9:15 am on October 24^th due to an equipment issue.

Phillipsdale Landing

The Phillipsdale Landing sondes have been deployed for the season since May 9th, 2023 utilizing a new setup allowing staff access to the equipment from the boat instead of standing on the dock. During the month of September, sondes were changed out for routine maintenance on September 14th and 27th. 

Surface DO remained above the hypoxia threshold all month. The bottom waters were hypoxic periodically throughout the month, with the longest sustained hypoxic periods (10 hours) occurring in the early morning of September 10th and again on the afternoon of the 10th and the morning of the 11th. DO averaged 8.2 mg/L at the surface with a minimum of 3.2 mg/L, while bottom waters averaged 4.4 mg/L with a minimum of 0.0 mg/L. 

Chlorophyll readings were frequently elevated during the first half of the month, suggestive of phytoplankton blooms, but went back down in the second half of the month. The surface and bottom readings averaged 12.0 µg/L and 6.1 µg/L, respectively. 

Bullock Reach

The Bullock Reach buoy was deployed June 1st for the 2023 season. During the month of September, sondes were changed out for routine maintenance on September 7th and 21st.

Surface DO remained above the hypoxia threshold all month. There were a few brief periods of hypoxic conditions in the middle waters, with the longest duration at 1.5 hours on September 24th. The bottom waters were hypoxic periodically throughout the month, with the longest sustained period of hypoxic conditions at 26 hours between the 13th and 14th. Surface, middle, and bottom DO averaged 7.3 mg/L, 5.4 mg/L, and 4.0 mg/L, respectively.

Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the month. Readings averaged 11.7 µg/L at the surface, 9.6 µg/L at mid-depth, and 3.5 µg/L at the bottom. 

​Phillipsdale Landing

The Phillipsdale Landing sondes have been deployed for the season since May 9th, 2023 utilizing a new setup allowing staff access to the equipment from the boat instead of standing on the dock. During the month of August, sondes were changed out for routine maintenance on August 1st, 16th, and 29th. 

Surface DO remained mostly above the hypoxia threshold, dropping briefly below the threshold for approximately an hour and a half on August 2nd and again on August 3rd. The bottom waters were hypoxic periodically throughout the month, with the longest sustained hypoxic periods (11 hours) occurring overnight between August 16th and 17th, and again overnight August 17th to 18th. DO averaged 6.4 mg/L at the surface with a minimum of 1.6 mg/L, while bottom waters averaged 3.0 mg/L with a minimum of 0.6 mg/L. 

Chlorophyll readings were generally low with intermittent periods of elevated readings through the month, suggestive of minor phytoplankton blooms. The surface and bottom readings averaged 4.3 µg/L and 4.1 µg/L, respectively. The maximum surface reading of 43.6 µg/L occurred on August 8th and the maximum bottom reading of 30.0 µg/L occurred on August 24th. 

Bullock Reach

The Bullock Reach buoy was deployed June 1st for the 2023 season. During the month of August, sondes were changed out for routine maintenance on August 8th and 22nd.

Surface DO remained above the hypoxia threshold all month. There were a few brief periods of hypoxic conditions in the middle waters, with the longest duration at 2 hours on August 18th. The bottom waters had hypoxic conditions on and off all month, with the longest sustained period of hypoxic conditions at 2.5 days between the 16th and 19th. Surface, middle, and bottom DO averaged 7.3 mg/L, 5.1 mg/L, and 3.5 mg/L, respectively.

Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the month. Readings averaged 13.8 µg/L at the surface, 11.1 µg/L at mid-depth, and 3.3 µg/L at the bottom. The maximum surface reading of 70.0 µg/L occurred on August 21st. Please note that data gaps occurred between the 1st and 2nd and between the 28th and 29th on the middle sonde due to equipment failure.​