News – Page 4 – Narrabay

June 3, 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 June 3, 2026. In the four days leading up to and including the survey day, there were 0.22 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green International Airport (Warwick, RI). The water column was moderately stratified at Point St Bridge, Pomham Rocks, India Point Park, and Phillipsdale Landing, weakly stratified at Bullock’s Reach, Conimicut Point, and Edgewood Yacht Club, and well-mixed at Pawtuxet Cove.

Dissolved oxygen conditions were not below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) at any of the visited locations. The highest fluorescence reading was observed about 2.50 meters below the surface at Pomham Rocks.

April 29, 2026

Nutrient samples were collected from seven river stations and seven bay stations on April 29^th. All bay stations were sampled at the surface and bottom. In the five days prior to sampling, trace amounts of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green.

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed Pawtuxet River @ Broad St (TN = 1,040 ppb, DIN = 942.2 ppb). The highest total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) was observed at Blackstone River @ Slater Mill (1,750 ppb). However, a significantly higher TDN compared to the TN observed at this site may indicate an issue with the sampling or analysis. The lowest TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Moshassuck River @ Footbridge at Mill St (TN = 524 ppb, TDN = 573 ppb, DIN = 408.1).

Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Pawtuxet Cove (TN = 971 ppb, TDN = 1,260 ppb, DIN = 739.1). The lowest surface TN was observed at Pomham Rocks (359 ppb). The lowest TDN was observed at Conimicut Point, Pomham Rocks, and Bullock Reach Buoy (<100.0 ppb). The lowest surface DIN was observed at Conimicut Point (13 ppb, reflecting minimum detection limits for DIN).

The next scheduled sampling date is May 12^th, 2026.

April 15, 2026

Nutrient samples were collected from thirteen river stations and eight bay stations on April 15^th. All bay stations were sampled at the surface, and Edgewood Shoal was sampled at the surface and bottom. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.03” 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 Ten Mile River @ Central Ave (TN = 1,680 ppb, TDN = 1,680 ppb, DIN = 1,388.7 ppb). The lowest TN and TDN were observed at Moshassuck River @ Higginson Ave (TN = 426 ppb, TDN = 416 ppb). The lowest DIN was observed at Coles River @ Milford Rd (149 ppb).

Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface TN and TDN were observed at Phillipsdale Landing (TN = 1,024 ppb, TDN = 975.5 ppb, average of duplicates). The highest DIN was observed at Pawtuxet Cove (729.8 ppb). The lowest surface TN and TDN were observed at Conimicut Point (TN = 474 ppb, TDN = 168 ppb). The lowest surface DIN was observed at Conimicut Point and Bullock Reach Buoy (13 ppb, reflecting minimum detection limits for DIN).

The next scheduled sampling date is April 29^th, 2026.

April 1, 2026

Nutrient samples were collected from fourteen river stations on April 1^st. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.08” 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 = 1,790 ppb, TDN = 2,240 ppb, DIN = 1,608 ppb). The lowest TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Coles River @ Milford Rd (TN = 602 ppb, TDN = 574 ppb, DIN = 215.3 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is April 15^th, 2026.

June 3, 2026

Water clarity was measured at seven locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on June 3, 2026. In the five days prior to the survey, 0.21 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 2.7 meters. The lowest clarity this week (1.9 meters) was measured at Phillipsdale Landing and Edgewood Yacht Club, while the greatest clarity (3.5 meters) was measured at Conimicut Point. 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 May 28, 2026).

May 20, 2026

On May 20^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, trace amounts of precipitation were recorded at TF Green.

Fecal coliform counts were lower in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on May 7^th (geometric mean of 91 MPN/100 mL compared to 103 MPN/100 mL on 5/7). Fecal coliform counts were similar in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling on May 7^th (geometric mean of 20 MPN/100 mL on May 7^th compared to 18 on May 20^th).

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 13 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 74 MPN/100 mL at Point Street Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is June 3^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.

May 7, 2026

On May 7^th, 2026, sixteen 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, 0.28” of precipitation was recorded at TF Green.

Fecal coliform counts were lower in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on April 23^rd (geometric mean of 103 MPN/100 mL compared to 223 MPN/100 mL on 4/23). Fecal coliform counts were lower in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling on April 23^rd (geometric mean of 20 MPN/100 mL compared to 16 MPN/100 mL on 4/23).

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 21 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 988 MPN/100 mL at Point Street Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is May 20^th.

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

Table adapted from Rhode Island Water Quality Regulations (250-RICR-150-05-1); see regulations for complete details.

May 27, 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 May 27, 2026. In the four days leading up to and including the survey day, there were 1.04 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green International Airport (Warwick, RI). The water column was strongly stratified at Pawtuxet Cove, India Point Park, and Phillipsdale Landing, moderately stratified at Pomham Rocks, Bullock’s Reach and Conimicut Point, and weakly stratified at Edgewood Yacht Club.

Dissolved oxygen conditions were slightly below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) in the lower part of the water column at Phillipsdale Landing. The highest fluorescence reading was observed about 2.25 meters below the surface at Pomham Rocks.

May 28, 2026

Water clarity was measured at seven locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on May 28, 2026. In the five days prior to the survey, 1.04 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 2.0 meters. The lowest clarity this week (1.5 meters) was measured at Pomham Rocks and Pawtuxet Cove, while the greatest clarity (2.7 meters) was measured at Bullock Reach and Conimicut Point. 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 May 19, 2026).

May 19, 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 May 19, 2026. Trace amounts of rain were recorded at T.F. Green International Airport (Warwick, RI) in the four days leading up to and including the survey day. The water column was strongly stratified at Pomham Rocks, moderately stratified at Edgewood Yacht Club, Conimicut Point, India Point Park, and Phillipsdale Landing, and weakly stratified at Point St. Bridge, and Bullock’s Reach.

Dissolved oxygen conditions were not below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) at any of the visited locations. The highest fluorescence reading was observed about 2.25 meters below the surface at Edgewood Yacht Club.