Water column profiles were conducted at seven locations in the Providence and Seekonk River estuaries on April 19, 2023 using a Seabird Electronics profiler. There were 0.17 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green in the three days leading up to the survey. Evidence of strong density stratification was observed at Phillipsdale Landing, Pomham Rocks, and Pawtuxet Cove. Evidence of moderate density stratification was observed at India Point Park, Conimicut Point West, and Bullock Reach Buoy, while Edgewood Yacht Club showed signs of being well mixed.
Surface salinities ranged from 12.5 psu at Phillipsdale Landing to 25.9 psu at Conimicut Point West; bottom salinities ranged from 24.4 psu at Edgewood Yacht Club to 30.2 psu at Conimicut Point West. Surface temperatures ranged 10.6°C at India Point Park to 12.5°C at Pawtuxet Cove, while bottom temperatures ranged from 8.4°C at Pomham Rocks to 11.3°C at Pawtuxet Cove.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions were below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) throughout the water column at Edgewood Yacht Club this week, averaging 2.6 mg/L. All other sites remained above the hypoxia threshold. Fluorescence was low to moderately elevated, with the highest value (8.42 mg/m3) observed near the middle of the water column at Pawtuxet Cove.