Fixed-Site Network

August 19 – 25, 2024

Phillipsdale Landing

Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of August 20th.  Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good to fair this week. Weather conditions included sporadic rain events, with 0.49 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow declined over the week, dropping below the 20-year daily median at midweek. Surface salinity averaged 20.1 ppt and ranged from 12.4 ppt to 25.2 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 23.6 ppt and ranged from 17.4 ppt to 26.7 ppt. Temperatures continued to increase this week, averaging 23.3°C at the surface and ranging 21.7°C – 24.9°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 23.1°C and ranged 22.1°C – 24.8°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing dropped below the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO average 6.6 mg/L and ranged from 2.7 mg/L to 13.7 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 4.2 mg/L and ranged from 1.7 mg/L to 10.3 mg/L. The longest period of hypoxic conditions (6 hours, 30 minutes) occurred at the bottom depth between the night of August 20th to the morning of August 21st. During this period, bottom DO averaged around 2.52 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings decreased from last week, averaging 20.76 µg/L at the surface and 15.9 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 126.5 µg/L on August 21st around midday. 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 to fair at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 26.9 ppt, 28.2 ppt, and 29.2 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 24.9 – 28.3 ppt, mid salinity ranged 25.8 – 29.6 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 28.0 – 30.4 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 22.9°C and ranged from 21.3°C to 24.2°C. Mid temperatures averaged 22.5°C and ranged from 21.5°C to 23.9°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 21.9°C and ranged from 20.6°C to 23.3°C.

DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week at the surface and middle depths. Bottom DO dropped below the hypoxia threshold infrequently throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 7.1 mg/L and ranged 4.5 – 11.3 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 5.5 mg/L and ranged 3.6 – 8.4 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 4.3 mg/L and ranged 2.3 – 7.3 mg/L.  The longest period of hypoxic conditions (1 hour, 15 minutes) occurred at the bottom depth on the morning of August 19th.  During this period, bottom DO averaged around 2.58 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 17.4 µg/L at the surface, 13.0 µg/L at mid-depth, and 9.0 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 42.1 µg/L on the afternoon of August 23rd.

August 12 – 18, 2024

Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was fair to poor this week. Weather conditions included sporadic rain events, with 1.18 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow fluctuated through the week in response to rain. Surface salinity averaged 16.3 ppt and ranged from 7.0 ppt to 23.5 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 25.0 ppt and ranged from 14.9 ppt to 28.5 ppt. Temperatures continued to increase this week, averaging 24.4°C at the surface and ranging 22.5°C – 26.7°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 23.4°C and ranged 22.2°C – 24.8°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing dropped below the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) over the week. Surface DO average 8.3 mg/L and ranged from 2.0 mg/L to 21.8 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 1.7 mg/L and ranged from 0.5 mg/L to 6.2 mg/L. The longest period of hypoxic conditions (1 day, 12 hours and 15 minutes) occurred at the bottom depth between the night of August 13th to the morning of August 15th. During this period, bottom DO averaged around 0.86 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings increased from last week, averaging 51.1 µg/L at the surface and 25.6 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 219.8 µg/L on the afternoon of August 12th. 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 15th. Overall, the water quality was good to fair at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 26.3 ppt, 28.7 ppt, and 30.8 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 22.8 – 25.3 ppt, mid salinity ranged 21.8 – 24.8 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 20.3 – 23.1 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 24.1°C and ranged from 22.8°C to 25.3°C. Mid temperatures averaged 23.1°C and ranged from 21.8°C to 24.8°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 21.4°C and ranged from 20.3°C to 23.1°C.

DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) at the surface. Middle and Bottom DO dropped below the hypoxia threshold sporadically throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 8.7 mg/L and ranged 5.6 – 13.7 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 4.6 mg/L and ranged 2.1 – 9.0 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 3.0 mg/L and ranged 1.8 – 5.1 mg/L.  The longest period of hypoxic conditions (1 day, 10 hours, and 45 minutes) occurred at the bottom depth during the night of August 16th until the morning of August 18th.  During this period, bottom DO averaged around 2.29 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 20.1 µg/L at the surface, 13.4 µg/L at mid-depth, and 4.1 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 54.5 µg/L on the afternoon of August 13th.

August 5 – 11, 2024

Phillipsdale Landing

Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of August 6th. Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good to fair this week. The weather was rainy, with 1.65 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow fluctuated through the week in response to rain. Surface salinity averaged 16.6 ppt and ranged from 5.6 ppt to 21.9 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 22.5 ppt and ranged from 15.2 ppt to 26.9 ppt. Temperatures continued to increase this week, averaging 24.9°C at the surface and ranging 22.8°C – 27.3°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 24.3°C and ranged 22.6°C – 27.3°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 remained below the hypoxic threshold for most of the week. Surface DO average 6.2 mg/L and ranged from 1.3 mg/L to 20.8 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 2.7 mg/L and ranged from 0.7 mg/L to 8.3 mg/L. The longest period of hypoxic conditions (22 hours) occurred at the bottom depth between the night of August 7th to the afternoon of August 8th. During this period, bottom DO averaged around 1.63 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings increased from last week, averaging 36.1 µg/L at the surface and 27.7 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 235.3 µg/L on the afternoon of August 11th. 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 25.7 ppt, 28.4 ppt, and 30.8 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 23.0 – 28.4 ppt, mid salinity ranged 24.7 – 30.2 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 24.2 – 32.2 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 24.4°C and ranged from 22.5°C to 27.4°C. Mid temperatures averaged 24.0°C and ranged from 22.1°C to 26.0°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 22.4°C and ranged from 20.6°C to 25.4°C. DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week at the surface. Middle and Bottom DO dropped below the hypoxia threshold frequently throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 6.4 mg/L and ranged 3.6 – 12.1 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 4.5 mg/L and ranged 2.1 – 6.6 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 3.6 mg/L and ranged 2.4 – 5.4 mg/L.

The longest period of hypoxic conditions (6 hours and 15 minutes) occurred at the bottom depth on the morning of August 6th. During this period, bottom DO averaged around 2.74 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 14.6 µg/L at the surface, 9.5 µg/L at mid-depth, and 3.0 µg/L at the bottom. The maximum surface chlorophyll was 61.8 µg/L on the night of August 11th.

July 29-August 4, 2024

​Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was fair to poor this week. Weather conditions included sporadic rain events, with 1.16 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow fluctuate through the week in response to rain, rising above the 19-year daily median mid-way through the week. Surface salinity averaged 17.8 ppt and ranged from 7.7 ppt to 24.4 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 22.6 ppt and ranged from 14.3 ppt to 25.8 ppt. Temperatures continued to increase this week, averaging 25.5°C at the surface and ranging 23.4°C – 27.9°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 24.5°C and ranged 22.8°C – 26.8°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing dropped below the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) over the week. Surface DO average 6.5 mg/L and ranged from 0.8 mg/L to 17.3 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 2.6 mg/L and ranged from 0.2 mg/L to 9.2 mg/L. The longest period of hypoxic conditions (1 day, 9 hours and 31 minutes) occurred at the bottom depth between the morning of July 29th and the morning of July 30th. During this period, bottom DO averaged around 1.51 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings increased from last week, averaging 33.5 µg/L at the surface and 22.6 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 347.5 µg/L on the morning of August 4th. 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 30th. Overall, water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 26.5 ppt, 28.3 ppt, and 30.1 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 15.7 – 28.3 ppt, mid salinity ranged 26.6 – 29.7 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 28.4 – 31.3 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 24.7°C and ranged from 22.5°C to 27.7°C. Mid temperatures averaged 23.9°C and ranged from 21.8°C to 26.7°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 22.5°C and ranged from 20.8°C to 24.7°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 8.2 mg/L and ranged 4.7 – 14.4 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 5.8 mg/L and ranged 3.0 – 7.8 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 3.7 mg/L and ranged 2.4 – 6.7 mg/L.  The longest period of hypoxic conditions (3 hours and 30 minutes) occurred at the bottom depth during July 30th.  During this period, bottom DO averaged around 2.76 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 21.8 µg/L at the surface, 17.5 µg/L at mid-depth, and 4.9 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 49.7 µg/L on the morning of August 2nd. 

Week of July 22 – July 28, 2024

​Phillipsdale Landing

Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of July 23rd.  Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good to fair this week. Weather conditions included sporadic rain events, with 0.46 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow fluctuate through the week in response to rain, while remaining below the 19-year daily median. Surface salinity averaged 20.9 ppt and ranged from 0.0 ppt to 25.4 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 23.3 ppt and ranged from 14.7 ppt to 27.4 ppt. Temperatures continued to increase this week, averaging 24.6°C at the surface and ranging 23.6°C – 26.2°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 23.9°C and ranged 22.3°C – 25.6°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing dropped below the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO average 5.7 mg/L and ranged from 1.9 mg/L to 14.1 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 3.4 mg/L and ranged from 0.7 mg/L to 9.5 mg/L. The longest period of hypoxic conditions (15 hours, 15 minutes) occurred at the bottom depth between the afternoons of July 24th and July 25th. During this period, bottom DO averaged around 2.28 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings decreased from last week, averaging 23.8 µg/L at the surface and 18.3 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 132.3 µg/L on the afternoon of July 25th. 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 25.6 ppt, 27.4 ppt, and 29.2 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 23.4 – 27.5 ppt, mid salinity ranged 13.3 – 29.3 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 27.1 – 30.1 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 24.2°C and ranged from 22.9°C to 26.1°C. Mid temperatures averaged 23.4°C and ranged from 21.2°C to 25.8°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 21.4°C and ranged from 19.9°C to 24.1°C.

DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week at the surface. Middle and Bottom DO dropped below the hypoxia threshold frequently throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 6.5 mg/L and ranged 3.7 – 10.3 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 4.6 mg/L and ranged 2.7 – 8.9 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 3.1 mg/L and ranged 1.9 – 4.9 mg/L.  

The longest period of hypoxic conditions (1 day, 2 hours, and 45 minutes) occurred at the bottom depth between the morning of July 22nd and the afternoon of July 23rd.  During this period, bottom DO averaged around 2.44 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 12.7 µg/L at the surface, 9.5 µg/L at mid-depth, and 5.6 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 42.4 µg/L on the morning of July 28th. ​

Week of July 15 – July 21, 2024

​Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was fair this week. Weather conditions were dry, with only 0.79 inches recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow continued an overall decreasing trend through the week. Surface salinity averaged 10.6 ppt and ranged from 2.6 ppt to 22.3 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 20.3 ppt and ranged from 4.9 ppt to 27.3 ppt. Temperatures continued to increase this week, averaging 27.0°C at the surface and ranging 23.5°C – 30.6°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 24.5°C and ranged 21.3°C – 29.0°C. 

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing dropped below the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO average 9.1 mg/L and ranged from 0.7 mg/L to 17.3 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 2.6 mg/L and ranged from 0.6 mg/L to 9.7 mg/L. The longest period of hypoxic conditions (22 hours) occurred from mid-day on July 18th to the morning of July 19th. During this period, bottom DO averaged around 1.54 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings decreased from last week, averaging 50.9 µg/L at the surface and 28.1 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 329.3 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

Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of July 16th. Overall, water quality was good to fair at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 23.3 ppt, 26.1 ppt, and 29.5 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 20.0 – 26.4 ppt, mid salinity ranged 23.4 – 29.3 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 27.87 – 30.7 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 26.6°C and ranged from 24.3°C to 28.9°C. Mid temperatures averaged 25.2°C and ranged from 21.4°C to 27.8°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 21.0°C and ranged from 19.1°C to 22.7°C.

DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week at the surface. Middle and Bottom DO dropped below the hypoxia threshold frequently throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 7.2 mg/L and ranged 4.4 – 9.3 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 4.8 mg/L and ranged 1.6 – 7.8 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 2.2 mg/L and ranged 1.3 – 3.6 mg/L.  The longest period of hypoxic conditions (2 days and 7 hours) occurred at the bottom depth between the night of July 16th and the morning of July 19th.  During this period, bottom DO averaged around 1.85 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 11.2 µg/L at the surface, 13.4 µg/L at mid-depth, and 4.1 µg/L at the bottom. The maximum surface chlorophyll was 28.5 µg/L on the morning of July 15th. 

Week of July 8 – July 14, 2024

​Phillipsdale Landing

Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of July 9th. Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. Weather conditions were dry, with only 0.48 inches on July 13th, recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow declined this week, dropping below the 19-year daily median mid-week.  Surface salinity averaged 9.0 ppt and ranged from 2.6 ppt to 18.0 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 17.7 ppt and ranged from 5.1 ppt to 25.1 ppt. Temperatures continued to increase this week, averaging 26.8°C at the surface and ranging 24.8°C – 30.6°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 24.8°C and ranged 22.0°C – 28.7°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 remained below the hypoxic threshold for most of the week. Surface DO average 10.1 mg/L and ranged from 4.5 mg/L to 19.1 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 4.1 mg/L and ranged from 0.8 mg/L to 13.3 mg/L. The longest period of hypoxic conditions (10 hours, 45 minutes) occurred at the bottom depth from the morning to afternoon of July 14th. During this period, bottom DO averaged around 1.68 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings rose from last week, averaging 85.8 µg/L at the surface and 46.4 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 261.8 µg/L on the morning of July 9th. 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 23.4 ppt, 25.9 ppt, and 28.8 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 19.9 – 26.2 ppt, mid salinity ranged 23.2 -28.2 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 26.3 – 30.4 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 25.7°C and ranged from 23.6°C to 27.9°C. Mid temperatures averaged 24.7°C and ranged from 20.9°C to 26.2°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 21.6°C and ranged from 19.3°C to 25.3°C.

DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) at the surface and middle depths throughout the week. Bottom DO dropped below the threshold, with the longest hypoxic period (11 hours and 15 minutes) occurring between the night of July 13th and the morning of July 14th. 

During this period, the bottom DO averaged around 2.52 mg/L. Surface DO averaged 7.3 mg/L and ranged 4.5 – 12.0 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 5.9 mg/L and ranged 3.2 – 8.2 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 3.7 mg/L and ranged 2.1 – 6.5 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 18.4 µg/L at the surface, 15.0 µg/L at mid-depth, and 4.1 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 52.8 µg/L on the afternoon of July 8th.  

Week of July 1 – July 7, 2024

Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. Weather conditions included sporadic rain events, with 0.83 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow fluctuate through the week in response to sporadic rain events. salinity averaged 13.9 ppt and ranged from 2.9 ppt to 22.8 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 21.1 ppt and ranged from 7.2 ppt to 28.2 ppt. Temperatures continued to increase this week, averaging 25.6°C at the surface and ranging 23.3°C – 28.5°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 22.3°C and ranged 19.7°C – 24.5°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. DO sporadically dropped below the threshold in the bottom waters. Surface DO average 8.7 mg/L and ranged from 3.4 mg/L to 18.4 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 5.2 mg/L and ranged from 2.8 mg/L to 11.1 mg/L. The longest period of hypoxic conditions (1 hour) occurred in the afternoon of July 2nd. During this period, bottom DO averaged around 2.84 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings rose from last week, averaging 63.5 µg/L at the surface and 33.4 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 125.4 µg/L on the night of July 4th. 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 2nd. Overall, water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 24.5 ppt, 26.7 ppt, and 28.8 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 20.8 – 26.6 ppt, mid salinity ranged 22.8 – 30.3 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 26.9 – 30.5 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 22.9°C and ranged from 21.2°C to 25.3°C. Mid temperatures averaged 22.0°C and ranged from 18.7°C to 23.8°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 20.0°C and ranged from 17.8°C to 23.0°C.

DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) at all depths throughout the week.  Surface DO averaged 7.5 mg/L and ranged 4.8 – 12.5 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 6.3 mg/L and ranged 4.1 – 8.4 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 4.7 mg/L and ranged 3.3 – 6.9 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 16.3 µg/L at the surface, 13.0 µg/L at mid-depth, and 4.9 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 48.3 µg/L on the afternoon of July 2nd. 

Week of June 24 – June 30, 2024

​Phillipsdale Landing

Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of June 25th. Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was fair this week. Weather conditions included sporadic rain events, with 2.17 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow fluctuate through the week in response to rain, while still remaining above the 19-year daily median. Surface salinity averaged 9.1 ppt and ranged from 2.6 ppt to 20.3 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 18.6 ppt and ranged from 5.4 ppt to 28.1 ppt. Temperatures continued to increase this week, averaging 25.1°C at the surface and ranging 22.0°C – 27.8°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 22.1°C and ranged 19.6°C – 24.7°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. DO sporadically dropped below the threshold in the bottom waters. Surface DO average 7.44 mg/L and ranged from 3.99 mg/L to 11.35 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 4.5 mg/L and ranged from 2.2 mg/L to 10.3 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings dropped slightly from last week, averaging 28.64 µg/L at the surface and 19.9 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 81.2 µg/L on the morning of June 30th. 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 24.7 ppt, 28.2 ppt, and 27.3 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 20.9 – 27.2 ppt, mid salinity ranged 25.1 – 29.8 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 23.1 – 30.3 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 22.5°C and ranged from 21.1°C to 25.1°C. Mid temperatures averaged 19.8°C and ranged from 17.8°C to 22.2°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 21.5°C and ranged from 18.5°C to 23.3°C.

DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) at all depths throughout the week.  Surface DO averaged 7.5 mg/L and ranged 5.3 – 10.9 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 4.8 mg/L and ranged 3.1 – 6.8 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 6.2 mg/L and ranged 4.3– 8.8 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the month. Readings averaged 17.1 µg/L at the surface, 8.2 µg/L at mid-depth, and 18.3 µg/L at the bottom. The maximum surface chlorophyll was 51.1 µg/L on the afternoon of June 28th.

Week of June 17 – June 23, 2024

​Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was fair this week. Weather conditions included sporadic rain events, with 2.22 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow fluctuate through the week in response to rain, while still remaining above the 19-year daily median. Surface salinity averaged 9.4 ppt and ranged from 2.5 ppt to 19.8 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 18.9 ppt and ranged from 5.9 ppt to 26.0 ppt. Temperatures continued to increase this week, averaging 23.9°C at the surface and ranging 20.6°C – 28.3°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 21.4°C and ranged 18.3°C – 25.5°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing has remained high at the surface, with only a few dropped readings below the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO was lower than the previous week, averaging 8.3 mg/L and ranging 2.65 mg/L to 14.1 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations dropped below the hypoxia level (i.e., DO <2.9 mg/L) briefly this week, averaging 4.2 mg/L and ranged from 2.0 mg/L to 10.0 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings have risen from last week, averaging 35.54 µg/L at the surface and 27.7 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 98.2 µg/L on the night of June 21st. 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 June 18th. Overall, water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 23.9 ppt, 28.0 ppt, and 24.0 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 19.3 – 27.0 ppt, mid salinity ranged 25.1 – 30.0 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 0.0 – 29.9 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 23.3°C and ranged from 19.8°C to 26.1°C. Mid temperatures averaged 18.8°C and ranged from 16.4°C to 21.9°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 21.5°C and ranged from 15.7°C to 25.0°C.

DO at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) at all depths throughout the week.  Surface DO averaged 8.1 mg/L and ranged 5.7 – 11.6 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 5.0 mg/L and ranged 3.4 – 9.0 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 6.6 mg/L and ranged 2.9– 9.4 mg/L.  Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the month. Readings averaged 15.8 µg/L at the surface, 8.4 µg/L at mid-depth, and 11.2 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 47.9 µg/L on the morning of June 23rd. 

Scroll to Top