January 21, 2026

Nutrient samples were collected from seven river stations on January 21st.  In the five days prior to sampling, 0.7” of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green.

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at Pawtuxet River @ Broad St. (TN = 1,710 ppb, TDN = 1,710 ppb, DIN = 1,519.5 ppb). The lowest TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Moshassuck River @ Footbridge at Mill St. (TN = 563 ppb, TDN = 572 ppb, DIN = 424.3 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is February 4th, 2026.

January 7, 2026

Nutrient samples were collected from thirteen river stations on January 7th.  In the five days prior to sampling, 0.11” of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green.

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at Pawtuxet River @ Broad St. (TN = 2,160 ppb, TDN = 2,330 ppb, DIN = 1,234.2 ppb). The lowest TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Woonasquatucket River @ Manton Ave. Bridge (TN = 808 ppb, TDN = 910 ppb, DIN = 655.9 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is January 21st, 2026.

Apply Today for an Environmental Merit Award

The Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC) is proud to announce the thirty-first annual NBC Environmental Merit Awards program. Through this program the NBC offers three types of Environmental Merit Awards: the NBC Pollution Prevention Award which honors (a) companies that have demonstrated efforts that go above and beyond NBC regulatory compliance requirements using pollution prevention techniques/technologies and (b) organizations or individuals that have helped promote pollution prevention and regulatory compliance within the regulatory community; the NBC Perfect Compliance Award which is given to each Significant Industrial User that achieves perfect compliance with all NBC regulatory requirements during the previous calendar year, and the NBC Stormwater Management Award which is given to companies, organizations or individuals that successfully use Best Management Practices to minimize stormwater impacts on the NBC sewer collection system.

Applications are due March 6, 2026. Download your application form here.

December 24, 2025

Nutrient samples were collected from seven river stations on December 24th.  In the five days prior to sampling, 0.77” of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green.

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at Pawtuxet River @ Broad St. TN = 1,670 ppb, TDN = 1,700 ppb, DIN = 1,567.1 ppb). The lowest TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Moshassuck River @ Higginson Ave. (TN = 563 ppb, TDN = 572 ppb, DIN = 424.3 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is January 7th, 2026.

December 10, 2025

Nutrient samples were collected from thirteen river stations on December 10th.  In the five days prior to sampling, 0.07” of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green.

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at Ten Mile River @ Central Ave. (TN = 3,100 ppb, TDN = 3,130 ppb, DIN = 2,793.0 ppb). The lowest TN and TDN were observed at Moshassuck River @ Higginson Ave (TN = 480 ppb, TDN = 554 ppb). The lowest DIN was observed at Coles River @ Milford Rd. (245.7 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is December 24th, 2025.

November 3 – 9, 2025

Phillipsdale Landing

Sondes were retrieved for the end of the season on the morning of November 4th. Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. There was no rain recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow reached a minimum on November 5th, and then increased for the remainder of the week. Surface salinity averaged 15.1 ppt and ranged from 6.1 ppt–25.1 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 24.3 ppt and ranged from 14.1 ppt–28.9 ppt. Temperatures decreased this week, averaging 12.4°C at the surface and 13.9°C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 10.1°C–14.1°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 12.4°C–14.6°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO>2.9mg/L) in both the surface and bottom waters. Surface DO averaged 8.1 mg/L and ranged from 6.3 mg/L–9.9 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 6.4 mg/L and ranged from 5.7 mg/L–7.6 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings remained relatively constant compared to last week, averaging 0.4 µg/L at the surface and 2.5 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 1.6 µg/L on the morning of November 3rd. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.

Bullock’s Reach

Sondes were retrieved for the end of the season on the morning of November 7th. Overall, water quality was good at Bullock’s Reach this week. Salinity averaged 24.5 ppt, 24.0 ppt, and 29.3 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 10.0–29.3 ppt, mid-depth salinity ranged 9.6–30.1 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 27.2–30.5 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 12.3°C and ranged from 10.4°C to 13.3C. Mid-depth temperatures averaged 12.6°C and ranged from 11.7°C to 13.5°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 12.6°C and ranged from 11.6°C to 13.5°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Bullock’s Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 8.4 mg/L and ranged 8.0–9.3 mg/L. In the mid-depth waters, DO averaged 8.5 mg/L and ranged 7.8–9.3 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 8.2 mg/L and ranged 7.7–8.9 mg/L.  Chlorophyll concentrations remained relatively constant compared to last week. Readings averaged 1.6 µg/L at the surface, 2.4 µg/L at mid-depth, and 4.7 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 3.1 µg/L on the morning of November 3rd.

October 27 – November 2, 2025

Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. There was light rain with 0.92 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow increased throughout the week. Surface salinity averaged 11.9 ppt and ranged from 3.2 ppt–25.9 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 24.0 ppt and ranged from 3.9 ppt–30.3 ppt. Temperatures decreased this week, averaging 12.6°C at the surface and 14.6°C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 10.0°C–14.8°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 11.0°C–16.0°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO>2.9mg/L) in both the surface and bottom waters. Surface DO averaged 8.8 mg/L and ranged from 6.2 mg/L–10.5 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 6.1 mg/L and ranged from 4.2 mg/L–9.8 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings remained relatively constant compared to last week, averaging 0.5 µg/L at the surface and 2.0 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 2.8 µg/L on the morning of November 2nd. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.

Bullock’s Reach

Sondes were swapped the afternoon of October 27th. Overall, water quality was good at Bullock’s Reach this week. Salinity averaged 27.8 ppt, 29.3 ppt, and 30.9 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 9.8–30.5 ppt, mid-depth salinity ranged 26.8–30.9 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 29.4–32.0 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 14.1°C and ranged from 12.0°C to 15.2°C. Mid-depth temperatures averaged 14.3°C and ranged from 12.8°C to 15.6°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 14.7°C and ranged from 12.9°C to 15.9°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Bullock’s 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 7.6–10.4 mg/L. In the mid-depth waters, DO averaged 7.9 mg/L and ranged 7.3–9.6 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 7.5 mg/L and ranged 6.8–8.3 mg/L.  Chlorophyll concentrations decreased at all depths compared to last week. Readings averaged 1.3 µg/L at the surface, 2.6 µg/L at mid-depth, and 4.9 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 3.2 µg/L on the morning of October 27th.

October 20 – 26, 2025

Phillipsdale Landing

Sondes were swapped the morning of October 21st. Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. There was light rain with 0.73 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow was at its highest between October 21st and October 23rd. Surface salinity averaged 8.8 ppt and ranged from 2.5 ppt–24.6 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 20.9 ppt and ranged from 4.4 ppt–29.1 ppt. Temperatures decreased this week, averaging 14.9°C at the surface and 16.2°C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 12.3°C–17.1°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 14.3°C–17.3°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO>2.9mg/L) in both the surface and bottom waters. Surface DO averaged 8.5 mg/L and ranged from 6.1 mg/L–10.1 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 6.2 mg/L and ranged from 4.5 mg/L–9.3 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings decreased from last week, averaging 0.9 µg/L at the surface and 1.8 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 4.5 µg/L on the morning of October 20th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.

Bullock’s Reach

Overall, water quality was good at Bullock’s Reach this week. Salinity averaged 27.6 ppt, 29.8 ppt, and 30.9 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 22.1–30.7 ppt, mid-depth salinity ranged 27.5–31.1 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 29.9–31.8 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 15.8°C and ranged from 14.1°C to 16.7°C. Mid-depth temperatures averaged 15.8°C and ranged from 15.2°C to 16.5°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 15.7°C and ranged from 15.3°C to 16.3°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Bullock Reach’s remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 7.8 mg/L and ranged 7.2–8.5 mg/L. In the mid-depth waters, DO averaged 7.7 mg/L and ranged 6.9–9.2 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 7.3 mg/L and ranged 6.6–7.8 mg/L.  Chlorophyll concentrations increased at all depths compared to last week. Readings averaged 4.1 µg/L at the surface, 4.5 µg/L at mid-depth, and 24.1 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 11.4 µg/L on the afternoon of October 24th.

October 13 – 19, 2025

Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. Weather conditions were moderately rainy, with 1.58 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow decreased throughout the week. Surface salinity averaged 17.0 ppt and ranged from 8.0 ppt–26.6 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 23.6 ppt and ranged from 11.0 ppt–30.7 ppt. Temperatures decreased this week, averaging 15.9°C at the surface and 16.9°C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 13.7°C–17.6°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 14.2°C–19.0°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO>2.9mg/L) in both the surface and bottom waters. Surface DO averaged 7.6 mg/L and ranged from 5.7 mg/L–9.0 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 6.3 mg/L and ranged from 4.7 mg/L–8.3 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings decreased from last week, averaging 1.8 µg/L at the surface and 1.9 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 6.2 µg/L on the morning of October 15th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.

Bullock’s Reach

Overall, water quality was good at Bullock’s Reach this week. Salinity averaged 28.5 ppt, 29.6 ppt, and 31.3 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 25.7–30.7 ppt, mid-depth salinity ranged 26.6–31.5 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 28.5–32.3 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 16.5°C and ranged from 14.7°C to 18.1°C. Mid-depth temperatures averaged 16.7°C and ranged from 15.1°C to 18.1°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 16.9°C and ranged from 15.6°C to 18.2°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Bullock’s Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 7.4 mg/L and ranged 6.6–8.5 mg/L. In the mid-depth waters, DO averaged 7.4 mg/L and ranged 6.6–8.0 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 7.0 mg/L and ranged 6.3–7.6 mg/L.  Chlorophyll concentrations in the surface and mid-depth waters decreased compared to week but increased in the bottom waters. Readings averaged 2.8 µg/L at the surface, 2.2 µg/L at mid-depth, and 9.6 µg/L at the bottom.  The maximum surface chlorophyll was 5.9 µg/L on the afternoon of October 18th.

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