News – Page 2 – Narrabay

October 7, 2026

On October 7^th, 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, 0.03 inches of precipitation was recorded at TF Green.

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River, compared to the Providence River (geometric mean of 87 MPN/100 mL for the Seekonk River compared to 19 MPN/100mL for the Providence River) for sampling conducted on October 7^th. The maximum count (430 MPN/100 mL) was measured at the Point St. Bridge sampling location.

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 41 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 435 MPN/100 mL at Phillipsdale Landing.

The next scheduled sampling date is October 21^st.

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.

October 14, 2026

Water clarity was measured at seven locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on October 14, 2026. In the five days prior to the survey, 2.37 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 3.8 meters. The lowest clarity this week (1.9 meters) was measured at Pawtuxet Cove, while the greatest clarity (5.5 meters) was observed at Conimicut Point and Bullocks Reach. There was a general north-to-south trend of increasing water clarity among the sites this week. Overall, water clarity decreased from the previous measurements (data collected October 7, 2026).

October 7, 2026

Water clarity was measured at eight locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on October 7, 2026. In the five days prior to the survey, 0.03 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 4.7 meters. The lowest clarity this week (3.8 meters) was measured at Phillipsdale Landing, while the greatest clarity (5.9 meters) was observed at Bullocks Reach. There was a general north-to-south trend of increasing water clarity among the sites this week. Overall, water clarity increased from the previous measurements (data collected September 30, 2026).

October 7, 2026

Water column profiles were conducted using a Seabird Electronics profiler at seven locations in the Providence River and one location in the Seekonk River on October 7, 2026. In the five days leading up to this, there were 0.06 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green International Airport (Warwick, RI). Point Street Bridge had a well-mixed water column. The water column was weakly stratified at Edgewood Yacht Club, Bullock Reach, Conimicut Point, and Pomham Rocks. Moderate stratification was observed at Pawtuxet Cove, India Point Park, and Phillipsdale Landing.

Dissolved oxygen conditions below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) were observed in the middle of the water column at Point Street Bridge and India Point Park. Phillipsdale Landing had dissolved oxygen concentrations below the hypoxia threshold at the bottom of the water column. The highest fluorescence reading was observed 1.25-meters below the surface at Pawtuxet Cove.

September 30, 2026

Water column profiles were conducted using a Seabird Electronics profiler at seven locations in the Providence River and one location in the Seekonk River on September 30, 2026. In the five days leading up to this, there were 4.22 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green International Airport (Warwick, RI). Bullock Reach had a weakly stratified water column. The water column was moderately stratified at Edgewood Shoal, Edgewood Yacht Club, Pawtuxet Cove, Conimicut Point and Pomham Rocks. Strong stratification was observed at India Point Park and Phillipsdale Landing.

Dissolved oxygen conditions below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) were not observed at any sampling location. The highest fluorescence reading was observed 1.25-meters below the surface at India Point Park.

September 22, 2026

Water column profiles were conducted using a Seabird Electronics profiler at six locations in the Providence River and one location in the Seekonk River on September 22, 2026. In the five days leading up to this, there were 0.27 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green International Airport (Warwick, RI). Point Street Bridge had a well-mixed water column. The water column was weakly stratified at Bullock Reach, Conimicut Point, Edgewood Yacht Club, Pomham Rocks, and India Point Park. Moderate stratification was observed at Phillipsdale Landing. The water column at Pawtuxet Cove was strongly stratified.

Dissolved oxygen conditions below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) were observed throughout the entire water column at Point Street Bridge and India Point Park. Edgewood Yacht Club, Pomham Rocks and Phillipsdale Landing had dissolved oxygen concentrations below the hypoxia threshold in only the lower part of the water column. The highest fluorescence reading was observed 1.75-meters below the surface at Phillipsdale Landing.

September 21 – September 27, 2026

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.

September 30, 2026

Water clarity was measured at eight locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on September 30, 2026. In the five days prior to the survey, 4.22 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 3.4 meters. The lowest clarity this week (2.5 meters) was measured at Phillipsdale Landing and Pawtuxet Cove, while the greatest clarity (4.1 meters) was observed at Conimicut Point and Bullocks Reach. There was no clear north-to-south gradient in water clarity among the sites this week. Overall, water clarity slightly decreased from the previous measurements (data collected September 22, 2026).

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 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.

September 7 – September 13 2026

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.