News – Page 3 – Narrabay

September 9, 2026

On September 9^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, 0.06 inches of precipitation was recorded at TF Green. Overall, bacteria counts were lower than during the previous sampling event.

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River, compared to the Providence River (geometric mean of 110 MPN/100 mL for the Seekonk River compared to 7 MPN/100mL for the Providence River) for sampling conducted on September 9th. The maximum count (930 MPN/100 mL) was measured at the Division St. Dock sampling location.

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 36 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 620 MPN/100 mL at Phillipsdale Landing.

The next scheduled sampling date is September 23^rd.

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

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

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.

September 9, 2026

Water clarity was measured at eight locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on September 9, 2026. In the five days prior to the survey, 0.06 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 3.1meters. The lowest clarity this week (2.1 meters) was measured at Phillipsdale Landing, while the greatest clarity (3.7meters) was observed at Pawtuxet Cove. There was no clear north-to-south gradient in water clarity among the sites this week. Overall, water clarity increased from the previous measurements (data collected September 2, 2026).

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 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.

August 10 – August 16, 2026

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.

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 3^rd. Blackstone River flow reached its peak on August 4^th, 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 3^rd. 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 9^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 August 4^th. 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 5^th.

July 27 – August 2, 2026

Walker Point

Sondes were swapped this week on July 28^th. 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 29^th. Blackstone River flow reached its peak on July 30^th, 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 27^th, 28^th, August 1^st, and August 2^nd. 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 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 August 4^th. 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 2^nd.

September 2, 2026

Water clarity was measured at eight locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on September 2, 2026. In the five days prior to the survey, 1.25 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 2.6 meters. The lowest clarity this week (2.3 meters) was measured at Phillipsdale Landing, while the greatest clarity (2.7 meters) was observed at Bullock Reach, Conimicut Point, and Edgewood Yacht Club. There was no clear north-to-south gradient in water clarity among the sites this week. Overall, water clarity increased from the previous measurements (data collected August 26, 2026).

August 19, 2026

Nutrient samples were collected from six river stations and seven bay stations on August 19^th. All bay stations were sampled at the surface and bottom. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.13” of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green.

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at Pawtuxet River @ Broad St. (TN = 1,600 ppb, TDN = 1,240 ppb, DIN = 956.2 ppb). The lowest TN was observed at Moshassuck River @ Footbridge at Mill St. (749 ppb). The lowest TDN and DIN were observed at Moshassuck River @ Higginson Ave (TDN = 685 ppb, DIN = 547.0 ppb).

Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface total nitrogen (TN) was observed at Phillipsdale Landing (2690 ppb). The highest surface total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at Pawtuxet Cove (TDN = 885 ppb, DIN = 535.8 ppb). The lowest surface TN was observed at Bullock Reach (523 ppb). The lowest surface TDN was observed at Edgewood Yacht Club (186 ppb). The lowest DIN was observed at Phillipsdale Landing (38.0 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is September 2^nd, 2026.

August 5, 2026

Nutrient samples were collected from twelve river stations and eight bay stations on August 5^th. All bay stations were sampled at the surface; Edgewood Shoal was sampled at the surface and bottom. In the five days prior to sampling, 2.57” of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green.

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at Ten Mile River @ Central Ave (TN = 1,010 ppb, TDN = 1,150 ppb, DIN = 789.8 ppb). The lowest TN and TDN were observed at Ten Mile River @ Roger Williams Ave (TN = 516 ppb, TDN = 442 ppb). The lowest DIN was observed at Palmer River @ Rt 6 (85.6 ppb).

Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface total nitrogen (TN) and total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) were observed at Phillipsdale Landing (TN = 2,560 ppb, TDN = 1,000 ppb). The highest surface dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was observed at Pawtuxet Cove (504.0 ppb). The lowest surface TN was observed at Pomham Rocks (651 ppb). The lowest surface TDN and DIN were observed at Bullock Reach (TDN = 158 ppb, DIN = 86.6 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is August 19^th, 2026.

August 26, 2026

Water clarity was measured at seven locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on August 26, 2026. In the five days prior to the survey, 0.73 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 2.1 meters. The lowest clarity this week (1.5 meters) was measured at Pomham Rocks, while the greatest clarity (2.9 meters) was observed at India Point Park. There was no clear north-to-south gradient in water clarity among the sites this week. Overall, water clarity decreased from the previous measurements (data collected August 19, 2026).