Phillipsdale Landing
Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. Weather conditions started dry, with Blackstone River flows declining compared to the week prior. Substantial rain on January 19th (1.05 inches as recorded at T.F. Green), led to increased Blackstone River flows, resulting in decreased salinity at Phillipsdale at the end of the week. Over the whole week, surface salinity averaged 5.4 ppt and ranged from 1.5 ppt to 10.2 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 18.7 ppt and ranged from 2.0 ppt to 30.0 ppt. Temperatures were similar this week to last, averaging 4.6°C at the surface and ranging 3.1°C – 6.8°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 5.6°C and ranged 4.1°C – 6.6°C.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold of 2.9 mg/L throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 12.4 mg/L and ranged 11.3 – 13.9 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 10.4 mg/L and ranged from 8.7 mg/L to 13.8 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings remained low, averaging 0.7 ug/L at the surface and 4.0 ug/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached just 1.3 ug/L this week. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.
Bullock Reach
Bullock Reach sondes will be deployed later this spring for the 2023 monitoring season.