NBC Welcomes New CFO

Kevin McDonald has joined the Narragansett Bay Commission as Chief Financial Officer, where he will oversee the agency’s $302 M annual budget, which includes significant infrastructure investments such as the final phase of the agency’s Combined Sewer Overflow project. Mc Donald previously served as Director of Loan Operations for the US Army Corps of Engineers Water Infrastructure Financing Program and as a Senior Underwriter for the USEPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Program.

“We are so pleased to welcome Kevin to the NBC,” said Executive Director Laurie Horridge. “His knowledge of public finance—and the water sector specifically—will benefit both the NBC’s ratepayers and the health of Narragansett Bay. We look forward to his collaboration and innovation as we continue to deliver on our clean water mission.”

McDonald has an undergraduate degree from Brown University in American History and a graduate degree from Harvard University in City and Regional Planning.

“Follow the Flush” with a Free Tour!

Narragansett Bay Commission Offers Free Clean Water Tours: Follow the Flush!

In celebration of Rhode Island Clean Water Week, the Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC) will offer free public tours of its award-winning Field’s Point Wastewater Treatment Facility in Providence on Saturday, April 12 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

The tours will include a look at the region’s most sophisticated water quality lab, “touch-a-truck” and “touch-a-boat” with the NBC’s maintenance and research vehicles, a clean water scavenger hunt, and other fun activities.

“This facility is simultaneously one of the oldest and most advanced clean water facilities in the nation,” said NBC Chairman Vincent Mesolella. “We’re so excited to give the public the opportunity to ‘follow the flush’ and view the process that has made Narragansett Bay cleaner than it has been in 150 years.”

In addition, the NBC will issue certificates of completion to all students who take the tour that may be redeemed for extra credit at school (but students are advised check with their teacher first).

“I am confident that anyone who experiences this tour will be amazed and appreciative by the clean water efforts in our community,” Mesolella added.

Members of the public can book a tour on the half hours between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM by emailing nbcpr@narrabay.com. Spaces are limited. The tour will take approximately 90 minutes.

The NBC joins four other clean water agencies in Rhode Island offering free public tours during Rhode Island Clean Water Week. Information on other tours is available at ricwa.org

October 15, 2025

Water clarity was measured at six locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on October 15, 2025. In the five days prior to the survey, 2.39 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 3.0 meters. The lowest clarity this week (1.8 meters) was measured at Conimicut Point, while the greatest clarity (3.3 meters) was measured at Edgewood Yacht Club. There was a general north-to-south trend of increasing water clarity among the sites this week. Compared to previous measurements taken on October 1, 2025, water clarity remained relatively consistent at most sites. However, Pawtuxet Cove showed a notable decrease of 1.1 meters and both Bullock Reach and Conimicut Point showed a notable increase of 1.1 meters.

October 15, 2025

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on October 15, 2025, while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuary. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as good in all areas. The average chlorophyll concentrations were also categorized as good over all areas surveyed. Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 0.64 µg/L to 3.60 µg/L with an average of 1.57 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation. 

October 1, 2025

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on October 1, 2025, while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuary. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as fair in the Seekonk River, and as good in all other areas. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as good over all areas surveyed. Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 2.07 µg/L to 10.16 µg/L with an average of 4.94 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation. 

September 17, 2025

Phytoplankton samples were collected on September 17, 2025 at Bullock’s Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection.

The water temperature was 20.99 °C, the salinity was 31.07 psu, and the chlorophyll a was 13.57 ug/L.

The qualitative tow net sample had a quick filtration time. The filtrate was reddish brown and murky.

The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 1,014,000 cells/L. The microflagellates were found at 374,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genera were Chaetoceros spp. at 303,000 cells/L, Prorocentrum spp. at 168,000 cells/L, and Heterocapsa spp. at 46,000 cells/L.

200x phase contrast image of Gymnodinium spp.

Gymnodinium is a genus of marine and freshwater dinoflagellates. They have two flagella used for locomotion and they are one of the few dinoflagellates that appear ‘naked’ due to their lack of armored cellulosic plates. Some species produce saxitoxins which can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning.

October 15, 2025

Water column profiles were conducted using a Seabird Electronics profiler at five locations in the Providence River and one location in the Seekonk River on October 15, 2025. In the five days leading up to this there were 2.30 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green International Airport (Warwick, RI). The water column was strongly stratified at India Point Park and Phillipsdale Landing, and weakly stratified at Bullock’s Reach, Edgewood Yacht Club, Pawtuxet Cove and Pomham Rocks.

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 1.25 meters below the surface at Phillipsdale Landing.

September 3, 2025

Nutrient samples were collected from seven river stations and eight bay stations on September 3rd. All bay stations were sampled at the surface. In the five days prior to sampling, no precipitation was recorded at T.F. Green. 

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN) was observed at Pawtuxet River @Broad Str. (TN = 1,450 ppb). The highest total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at Blackstone River @ Stateline (TDN = 1,940 ppb, DIN = 1,467.7 ppb). The lowest TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Moshassuck River @ Higginson Ave (TN = 598 ppb, TDN = 703 ppb, DIN = 454.4 ppb).

Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface TN was observed at Phillipsdale Landing (1,220 ppb). The highest TDN and DIN were observed at Pawtuxet Cove (TDN = 969 ppb, DIN = 729.3). The lowest surface TN and TDN were observed at Bullock Reach (TN = 453 ppb, TDN = 162 ppb). The lowest surface DIN was observed at five of the eight bay stations (13 ppb, reflecting minimum detection limits for DIN).

The next scheduled sampling date is September 17th, 2025

October 1, 2025

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 1, 2025. In the five days leading up to this there were 0.06 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green International Airport (Warwick, RI). The water column was strongly stratified at Phillipsdale Landing, weakly stratified at Bullock’s Reach, Conimicut Point and Pomham Rocks, and well-mixed at Edgewood Shoals, Edgewood Yacht Club, India Point Park and Pawtuxet Cove.

Dissolved oxygen conditions were below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) in the lower part of the water column at Edgewood Shoals, and the entire water column at Pomham Rocks and Phillipsdale Landing. The highest fluorescence reading was observed at about 1.75 meters below the surface at Phillipsdale Landing.

September 3, 2025

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 3, 2025. In the five days leading up to this there were 0.84 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green International Airport (Warwick, RI). The water column was moderately stratified at India Point Park, weakly stratified at Bullock’s Reach, Conimicut Point, Phillipsdale Landing and Pomham Rocks, and well-mixed at Edgewood Yacht Club and Pawtuxet Cove.

Dissolved oxygen conditions were below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) in the lower part of the water column at Bullock’s Reach, Edgewood Yacht Club and Pomham Rocks. The entire water column at Phillipsdale Landing was hypoxic. This is also where the highest fluorescence reading was observed at about 1.5 meters below the surface of the water.

August 20, 2025

One water column profile was conducted using a Seabird Electronics profiler at Conimicut Point (Providence River) on August 20, 2025. In the five days leading up to this there were 0.01 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green International Airport (Warwick, RI). The water column here was well-mixed with no dissolved oxygen concentrations below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L). The highest fluorescence reading was measured at about 3.5 meters below the surface.

August 13, 2025

Water column profiles were conducted using a Seabird Electronics profiler at three locations in the Providence River on August 13, 2025. In the five days leading up to this there were 0.00 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green International Airport (Warwick, RI). Water column stratification was weak at all three locations— Conimicut Point, Bullock’s Reach and Edgewood Yacht Club.

Dissolved oxygen conditions were below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) in the lower portion of the water column at Edgewood Yacht Club. This is also where the highest fluorescence reading was measured at about 1 meter below the surface.

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