Phillipsdale Landing
Sondes were swapped for routine maintenance on the morning of January 24th. Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. Weather conditions were rainy, including 0.34 inches on January 22nd, 0.92 inches on January 23rd (included some snow), 0.75 inches on January 25th, and 1.09 inches on January 26th (all as recorded at T.F. Green). Blackstone River flows were heavy all week in response to the precipitation, resulting in decreased salinity at Phillipsdale, particularly at the end of the week. Over the whole week, surface salinity averaged 2.0 ppt and ranged from 0.2 ppt to 9.9 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 9.5 ppt and ranged from 0.2 ppt to 28.6 ppt. Temperatures cooled this week, averaging 3.8°C at the surface and ranging 2.3°C – 5.3°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 4.4°C and ranged 2.6°C – 5.9°C.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold of 2.9 mg/L throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 13.4 mg/L and ranged 12.0 – 14.2 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 12.4 mg/L and ranged from 9.4 mg/L to 14.6 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings remained low, averaging 1.7 ug/L at the surface and 2.5 ug/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached just 3.0 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.