Fixed-Site Network

Phillipsdale Landing

Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of October 29^th.  Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good to fair this week. Weather conditions were dry this week, with 0.03 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow remained relatively stable through the week, remaining below the 22-year daily median. Surface salinity averaged 21.4 ppt and ranged from 11.2 ppt to 27.2 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 25.8 ppt and ranged from 19.5 ppt to 29.6 ppt. Temperatures remained stabilized this week, averaging 15.1°C at the surface and ranging 12.0°C – 16.7°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 15.4°C and ranged 14.5°C – 16.2°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 8.5 mg/L and ranged from 5.6 mg/L to 12.8 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 6.8 mg/L and ranged from 4.4 mg/L to 10.9 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings remained stabilized from last week, averaging 14.0 µg/L at the surface and 8.1 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 105.0 µg/L at midday on November 11^th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location. 

Bullock Reach

Overall, the water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 28.8 ppt, 29.8 ppt, and 31.2 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 27.3 – 30.0 ppt, mid salinity ranged 28.1 – 31.1 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 29.5 – 32.6 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 14.3°C and ranged from 13.0°C to 15.4°C. Mid temperatures averaged 14.4°C and ranged from 13.5°C to 15.3°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 14.5°C and ranged from 13.8°C to 15.6°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 8.4 mg/L and ranged 7.6 – 9.7 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 8.3 mg/L and ranged 7.5 – 8.9 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 7.9 mg/L and ranged 7.0 – 8.5 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to moderate, with evidence of sporadic phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 3.2 µg/L at the surface, 3.8 µg/L at mid-depth, and 1.2 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 11.3 µg/L on the afternoon of October 29^th.

Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good to fair this week. The weather was dry, with no precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow had small fluctuations throughout the week but remained below the 22-year daily median. Surface salinity averaged 20.5 ppt and ranged from 11.1 ppt to 25.6 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 25.8 ppt and ranged from 20.6 ppt to 29.7 ppt. Temperatures remained stabilized this week, averaging 15.9°C at the surface and ranging 13.0°C – 17.5°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 16.0°C and ranged 14.8°C – 17.3°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 8.51 mg/L and ranged from 5.39 mg/L to 13.59 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 6.6 mg/L and ranged from 4.4 mg/L to 10.1 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings decreased from last week, averaging 13.3 µg/L at the surface and 3.6 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 123.5 µg/L on the morning of October 21^st. 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 October 22^nd. Overall, water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 28.4 ppt, 29.7 ppt, and 31.4 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 27.3 – 29.7 ppt, mid salinity ranged 28.2 – 30.8 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 29.8 – 32.5 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 15.4°C and ranged from 14.0°C to 16.5°C. Mid temperatures averaged 15.3°C and ranged from 14.4°C to 16.4°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 15.2°C and ranged from 14.7°C to 16.0°C.

DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week.    Surface DO averaged 8.7 mg/L and ranged 7.8 – 10.3 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 8.4 mg/L and ranged 7.4 – 9.8 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 7.8 mg/L and ranged 6.8 – 9.2mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 4.7 µg/L at the surface, 5.6 µg/L at mid-depth, and 3.3 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 15.3 µg/L on the afternoon of October 21^st.

Phillipsdale Landing

Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of October 17^th.  Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. The weather was dry, with no precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow steadily increased through the week, while remaining below the 22-year daily median. Surface salinity averaged 24.2 ppt and ranged from 19.8 ppt to 28.0 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 26.4 ppt and ranged from 22.2 ppt to 29.0 ppt. Temperatures continued to decrease this week, averaging 15.7°C at the surface and ranging 13.0°C – 17.4°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 16.1°C and ranged 14.4°C – 17.9°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 8.76 mg/L and ranged from 5.50 mg/L to 13.12 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 7.8 mg/L and ranged from 5.4 mg/L to 11.2 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings decreased from last week, averaging 34.33 µg/L at the surface and 23.4 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 174.50 µg/L on the morning of October 14^th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location. 

Bullock Reach

Overall, the water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 29.0 ppt, 29.6 ppt, and 30.3 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 28.1 – 29.9 ppt, mid salinity ranged 28.7 – 30.3 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 29.3 – 31.0 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 15.3°C and ranged from 14.0°C to 16.8°C. Mid temperatures averaged 15.3°C and ranged from 14.4°C to 16.8°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 15.3°C and ranged from 14.4°C to 17.0°C.

DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week.    Surface DO averaged 8.1 mg/L and ranged 7.2 – 9.7 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 7.9 mg/L and ranged 7.2 – 9.1 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 7.8 mg/L and ranged 7.0– 8.7 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 4.4 µg/L at the surface, 5.2 µg/L at mid-depth, and 6.0 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 14.9 µg/L on the afternoon of October 20^th.

Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good to fair this week. Weather conditions included sporadic rain events, with 0.95 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow fluctuated through the week in response to rain but remained below the 22-year daily median throughout the week. Surface salinity averaged 22.4 ppt and ranged from 16.1 ppt to 26.9 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 26.7 ppt and ranged from 22.5 ppt to 29.2 ppt. Temperatures continued to decrease this week, averaging 18.2°C at the surface and ranging 14.9°C – 19.8°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 18.9°C and ranged 17.1°C – 19.8°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 10.17 mg/L and ranged from 5.84 mg/L to 21.63 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 6.0 mg/L and ranged from 4.0 mg/L to 10.9 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings increased from last week, averaging 73.19 µg/L at the surface and 35.6 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 467.4 µg/L on the morning of October 10^th. 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 afternoon of October 8^th. Overall, the water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 29.0 ppt, 29.7 ppt, and 30.1 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 27.8 – 30.1 ppt, mid salinity ranged from 28.6°C to 30.9°C, and bottom salinity ranged 29.7 – 31.8 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 17.8°C and ranged from 16.4°C to 19.1°C. Mid temperatures averaged 17.9°C and ranged from 16.5°C to 19.3°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 18.1°C and ranged from 16.6°C to 19.2°C.

DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week.   Surface DO averaged 7.9 mg/L and ranged 7.0 – 9.7 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 7.6 mg/L and ranged 6.4 – 9.9 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 7.1 mg/L and ranged 6.2 – 8.3 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings were low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 7.9 µg/L at the surface, 8.5 µg/L at mid-depth, and 6.8 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 18.9 µg/L on the afternoon of October 9^th.  

Phillipsdale Landing

Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of September 30^th.  Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good to fair this week. The weather was dry, with no precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow fluctuated throughout the week, while remaining below the 20-year daily median. Surface salinity averaged 24.6 ppt and ranged from 19.6 ppt to 27.3 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 27.0 ppt and ranged from 23.0 ppt to 28.9 ppt. Temperatures increased this week, averaging 20°C at the surface and ranging 18.4°C – 21.1°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 19.9°C and ranged 19.3°C – 21.0°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 8.3 mg/L and ranged from 4.29 mg/L to 14.02 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 6.5 mg/L and ranged from 3.5 mg/L to 10.8 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings increased from last week, averaging 29.57 µg/L at the surface and 19.6 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 115.3 µg/L on the morning of October 1^st. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location. 

Bullock Reach

Overall, water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 28.9 ppt, 30.4 ppt, and 31.8 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 26.7 – 30.1 ppt, mid salinity ranged 28.8 – 31.5 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 30.4 – 32.4 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 19.4°C and ranged from 18.5°C to 20.2°C. Mid temperatures averaged 19.3°C and ranged from 18.9°C to 20.0°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 19.1°C and ranged from 18.8°C to 19.6°C.

DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week.   Surface DO averaged 8.7 mg/L and ranged 6.6 – 12.7 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 7.4 mg/L and ranged 5.4 – 12.4 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 6.1 mg/L and ranged 5.1 – 9.8 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 14.1 µg/L at the surface, 9.9 µg/L at mid-depth, and 2.6 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 64.3 µg/L on the afternoon of October 4^th.

Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good to fair this week. Weather conditions included a rain event, with 1.06 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow fluctuated through the week in response to rain, though it remained below the 20-year daily median through the week. Surface salinity averaged 23.7 ppt and ranged from 16.3 ppt to 27.8 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 27.6 ppt and ranged from 24.6 ppt to 29.7 ppt. Temperatures continued to decline this week, averaging 19.4°C at the surface and ranging 17.9°C – 21.0°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 19.5°C and ranged 18.9°C – 20.2°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing 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 6.16 mg/L and ranged from 3.77 mg/L to 8.88 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 4.3 mg/L and ranged from 2.2 mg/L to 5.7 mg/L. The longest period of hypoxic conditions (1 hour) occurred at the bottom depth on the afternoon of September 26^th. During this period, bottom DO averaged around 2.51 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings decreased from last week, averaging 15.1 µg/L at the surface and 6.0 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 59.98 µg/L on the afternoon of September 29^th. 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 September 24^th. Overall, the water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 28.8 ppt, 30.2 ppt, and 31.8 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 26.5 – 30.1 ppt, mid salinity ranged 28.7 – 31.4 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 29.8 – 32.3 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 19.1°C and ranged from 18.1°C to 20.8°C. Mid temperatures averaged 19.0°C and ranged from 18.5°C to 20.2°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 18.8°C and ranged from 18.7°C to 19.2°C.

DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week.  Surface DO averaged 7.2 mg/L and ranged 6.2 – 8.7 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 6.6 mg/L and ranged 5.7 – 7.7 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 6.1 mg/L and ranged 5.4 – 6.9 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 9.2 µg/L at the surface, 7.5 µg/L at mid-depth, and 2.6 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 21.2 µg/L on the evening of September 25^th.

Phillipsdale Landing

Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of September 17^th.  Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good to fair this week. Weather conditions included sporadic rain events, with 0.78 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow remained below the 20-year daily median. Surface salinity averaged 24.3 ppt and ranged from 20.4 ppt to 28.3 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 26.3 ppt and ranged from 22.9 ppt to 29.6 ppt. Temperatures continued to decline this week, averaging 21.3°C at the surface and ranging 18.5°C – 24.0°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 21.4°C and ranged 19.2°C – 23.5°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO average 5.97 mg/L and ranged from 3.93 mg/L to 10.82 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 5.0 mg/L and ranged from 3.3 mg/L to 8.5 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings decreased from last week, averaging 16.01 µg/L at the surface and 12.8 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 57.03 µg/L on the evening of September 17^th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location. 

Bullock Reach

Overall, water quality was good to fair at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 28.7 ppt, 29.2 ppt, and 30.5 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 27.5 – 29.7 ppt, mid salinity ranged 27.9 – 30.1 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 29.0 – 31.4 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 21.0°C and ranged from 19.2°C to 23.1°C. Mid temperatures averaged 20.8°C and ranged from 19.1°C to 22.1°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 20.4°C and ranged from 19.1°C to 21.6°C.

DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week Surface DO averaged 6.7 mg/L and ranged 5.5 – 10.2 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 6.1 mg/L and ranged 4.6 – 8.7 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 5.6 mg/L and ranged 3.8 – 6.7 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 5.5 µg/L at the surface, 6.2 µg/L at mid-depth, and 6.7 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 17.5 µg/L on the afternoon of September 16^th.

Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good to fair this week. Weather was dry, with no precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow remained below the 20-year daily daily median. Surface salinity averaged 21.6 ppt and ranged from 16.5 ppt to 26.4 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 26.7 ppt and ranged from 21.4 ppt to 29.4 ppt. Temperatures continued to decrease this week, averaging 22.2°C at the surface and ranging 19.1°C – 24.9°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 21.5°C and ranged 20.7°C – 23.4°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing dropped below the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) during the week. Surface DO average 10.43 mg/L and ranged from 4.13 mg/L to 18.24 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 4.5 mg/L and ranged from 2.5 mg/L to 10.8 mg/L. The longest periods of hypoxic conditions spanned an hour and a half, occurring at the bottom depth on the morning and then again in the afternoon of September 11^th. During these periods, bottom DO averaged around 2.62 mg/L and 2.79 mg/L, respectively. Chlorophyll readings increased from last week, averaging 51.20 µg/L at the surface and 32.3 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 95.4 µg/L on the evening of September 13^th. 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 September 10^th. Overall, water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 28.4 ppt, 29.2 ppt, and 30.8 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 27.0 – 29.1 ppt, mid salinity ranged 27.7 – 30.4 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 30.0 – 31.5 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 21.3°C and ranged from 20.2°C to 23.4°C. Mid temperatures averaged 20.9°C and ranged from 20.1°C to 22.6°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 20.2°C and ranged from 19.3°C to 21.1°C. DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week.   Surface DO averaged 8.3 mg/L and ranged 6.1 – 11.3 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 6.6 mg/L and ranged 4.7 – 9.7 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 4.5 mg/L and ranged 3.4 – 6.6 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 12.0 µg/L at the surface, 12.7 µg/L at mid-depth, and 6.9 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 30.7 µg/L on the afternoon of September 9^th.

Phillipsdale Landing

Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of September 5^th.  Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good to fair this week. Weather conditions were dry, with only a trace amount of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow remained below the 20-year daily median. Surface salinity averaged 21.7 ppt and ranged from 14.8 ppt to 25.6 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 25.7 ppt and ranged from 20.4 ppt to 28.4 ppt. Temperatures continued to decrease this week, averaging 22.7°C at the surface and ranging 20.6°C – 24.6°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 22.4°C and ranged 21.6°C – 24.3°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing dropped below the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) briefly during the week. Surface DO average 8.2 mg/L and ranged from 3.73 mg/L to 15.08 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 4.9 mg/L and ranged from 2.4 mg/L to 10.5 mg/L. The longest period of hypoxic conditions (1 hour, 30 minutes) occurred at the bottom depth on the morning of September 4^th. During this period, bottom DO averaged around 2.53 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings decreased from last week, averaging 34.9 µg/L at the surface and 21.7 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 79.24 µg/L on the morning of September 2^nd. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location. 

Bullock Reach

Overall, water quality was good to fair at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 27.6 ppt, 28.9 ppt, and 30.4 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 25.9 – 28.6 ppt, mid salinity ranged 26.8 – 30.2 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 28.4 – 31.2 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 21.9°C and ranged from 20.6°C to 23.5°C. Mid temperatures averaged 21.7°C and ranged from 20.6°C to 23.3°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 20.9°C and ranged from 19.7°C to 22.7°C.

DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 7.5 mg/L and ranged 5.6 – 10.5 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 6.3 mg/L and ranged 4.3 – 8.8 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 4.5 mg/L and ranged 2.9 – 8.0 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 15.4 µg/L at the surface, 12.0 µg/L at mid-depth, and 2.9 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 40.7 µg/L on the afternoon of September 3^rd.

Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good to fair this week. Weather was rainy, with 1.38 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow fluctuated through the week in response to rain, but remained below the 20-year daily median for most of the week. Surface salinity averaged 20.2 ppt and ranged from 12.9 ppt to 24.4 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 24.5 ppt and ranged from 18.9 ppt to 28.2 ppt. Temperatures continued to increase this week, averaging 24.0°C at the surface and ranging 21.0°C – 26.6°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 23.4°C and ranged 22.2°C – 25.0°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing 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 average 7.70 mg/L and ranged from 2.96 mg/L to 16.08 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 3.7 mg/L and ranged from 1.4 mg/L to 8.0 mg/L. The longest period of hypoxic conditions (9 hours) occurred at the bottom depth during the evening of August 29^th. During this period, bottom DO averaged around 2.00 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings increased from last week, averaging 49.5 µg/L at the surface and 18.8 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 108.3 µg/L on the afternoon of August 29^th. 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 August 27^th. Overall, water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 26.6 ppt, 28.3 ppt, and 30.1 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 24.8 – 28.1 ppt, mid salinity ranged 26.3 – 30.0 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 28.3 – 31.2 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 23.4°C and ranged from 21.7°C to 24.5°C. Mid temperatures averaged 22.8°C and ranged from 21.5°C to 24.2°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 21.5°C and ranged from 20.1°C to 23.0°C.

DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) at the surface and mid depths throughout the week.  Bottom DO sporadically dropped below the hypoxia threshold this week. Surface DO averaged 7.8 mg/L and ranged 5.5 – 9.5 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 5.7 mg/L and ranged 3.2 – 8.6 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 3.9 mg/L and ranged 2.7 – 6.1 mg/L.  The longest period of hypoxic conditions (1 hour and 30 minutes) occurred at the bottom depth during August 31^st.  During this period, bottom DO averaged around 2.83 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 16.2 µg/L at the surface, 11.6 µg/L at mid-depth, and 3.3 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 30.4 µg/L on the morning of September 1^st.