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

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.

October 1, 2025

Water clarity was measured at eight locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on October 1, 2025. In the five days prior to the survey, 0.06 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 2.9 meters. The lowest clarity this week (2.7 meters) was measured at Conimicut Point, while the greatest clarity (3.3 meters) was measured at 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 September 17, 2025).

July 14 – 20, 2025

Phillipsdale Landing

Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of July 15th. Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was fair this week. Weather conditions were dry, with only a trace of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow fluctuated throughout the week. Surface salinity averaged 12.6 ppt and ranged from 2.3 ppt to 24.0 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 21.2 ppt and ranged from 10.3 ppt to 28.1 ppt. Temperatures averaged 25.7°C at the surface and 6.9°C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 5.6°C to 6.8°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 6.1°C to 7.1°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing dropped below the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. The longest periods of hypoxic conditions spanned 11.5 hours, occurring during the day of July 18th. During this period, the bottom DO averaged around 1.99 mg/L. Surface DO averaged 8.1 mg/L and ranged from 2.1 mg/L to 17.4 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 2.6 mg/L and ranged from 0.3 mg/L to 9.7 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings increased from last week, averaging 46.4 µg/L at the surface and 28.2 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 296.8 µg/L on the morning of July 17th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location. 

Bullock Reach

Due to water intrusion, Bullock Reach’s middle sonde was retrieved July 7th. No data is available at the mid depth this week. Overall, water quality was good to fair at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 25.1 ppt, and 30.3 ppt at the surface, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 22.3– 28.0 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 28.3 – 31.1 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 25.5°C and ranged from 23.9°C to 27.7°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 21.7°C and ranged from 19.9°C to 26.4°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) at the surface throughout the week, while DO at the bottom waters dropped below the hypoxic threshold throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 7.7 mg/L and ranged 5.7 – 10.7 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 3.2 mg/L and ranged 2.0 – 5.6 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated throughout the week. Readings averaged 22.3 µg/L at the surface, and 3.7 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 40.3 µg/L on the afternoon of July 15th.

July 7 – 13, 2025

Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was fair this week. Weather conditions included frequent rain events this week, with 2.33 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow fluctuated throughout the week. Surface salinity averaged 11.1 ppt and ranged from 2.9 ppt to 22.5 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 21.3 ppt and ranged from 5.1 ppt to 28.2 ppt. Surface temperature increased this week, averaging 25.0°C at the surface and ranging 22.9°C – 28.8°C. The bottom temperature decreased averaged 21.3°C and ranged 5.1°C – 28.2°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing dropped below the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. The longest periods of hypoxic conditions spanned 22.5 hours, occurring at the bottom depth from the afternoon of July 9th until July 10th.  During this period, the bottom DO averaged around 1.69 mg/L. Surface DO averaged 7.1 mg/L and ranged from 2.1 mg/L to 13.2 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 2.9 mg/L and ranged from 0.4 mg/L to 8.1 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings decreased from last week, averaging 24.8 µg/L at the surface and 24.0 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 97.0 µg/L on the morning of July 8th. 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 July 9th. Overall, water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 25.8 ppt, 28.7 ppt, and 30.8 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 22.3– 28.5 ppt, mid salinity ranged 25.2 – 29.3 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 29.0 – 31.9 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 24.5°C and ranged from 23.0°C to 26.0°C. Mid temperatures averaged 24.3°C and ranged from 23.3°C to 25.3°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 20.7°C and ranged from 18.4°C to 23.6°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 6.8 mg/L and ranged 3.8 – 11.6 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 6.6 mg/L and ranged 4.7 – 7.8 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 3.8 mg/L and ranged 2.9 – 6.2 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated throughout the week. Readings averaged 14.2 µg/L at the surface, 13.5 µg/L at mid-depth, and 4.8 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 58.9 µg/L on the afternoon of July 13th.

September 17, 2025

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on September 17, 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 the Northern Providence River Channel and the Seekonk River, and as fair in all other areas. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as fair over all areas surveyed. Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 0.98 µg/L to 20.49 µg/L with an average of 6.73 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation. 

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