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University of Rhode Island

Cooperative Extension

URI Watershed Watch Natural Resources Science Dept.

The Coastal Institute in Kingston

1 Greenhouse Road

Kingston, RI 02881

Linda T Green, Program Director

401-874-2905 - lgreen@uri.edu

Elizabeth M. Herron, Program Coordinator

401-874-4552 - emh@uri.edu

www.uri.edu/ce/wq/ww/

URI Watershed Watch Program

Bristol Harbor Monitoring Results 2009 - 2013 March 2014

Elizabeth Herron and Linda Green, URI Watershed Watch

Water Quality Summary: An additional year of monitoring on more sites combined with another year of “unique” weather continues to strengthen our understanding of conditions in

Bristol Harbor. As discussed in prior year’s reports, both the on-site monitoring and laboratory

analyses indicate that with the exception of the Silver Creek outlet (#3), Bristol Harbor itself is in

generally good condition. Nutrients were low to moderate, although in some cases quite variable

between years and even sampling events. Dissolved oxygen levels were usually sufficient for most

aquatic species, although recently (since 2011) there have been periods of low dissolved

oxygen, which creates stressful conditions for species such as clams at a number of sites.

Chlorophyll concentrations, an indicator of the amount of algae, were generally in the low to

moderate range, but algal blooms were noted at a number of sites. Mill Pond (#5) has had

extended periods of elevated algae combined with higher bacteria levels, limiting recreational

usage of the pond for a number of seasons. In the harbor, bacteria levels were often within both

acceptable shellfishing and swimming criteria, but were generally higher in 2011 and 2012 than

other years.

Save Bristol Harbor (SBH) continues to use the data generated through this monitoring effort to

explore the watershed by adding additional upstream monitoring sites (#14 DaPonte Pond

/Wood St. and #15 Silver Creek at Gooding Ave. in 2012) in order to identify sources of

contamination. The need to better understand the Silver Creek watershed developed after the

2009 results identified the creek as a source of excess nitrogen and bacteria. Monitoring at the

upstream sites strengthens the indications that the sources are upstream of where Silver Creek

enters the harbor, but we haven’t quite “nailed down” specific sources yet.

The dynamic nature of the harbor ensures that there will be fluctuations in water quality from year

to year particularly in response to variable weather patterns. The commitment of Save Bristol

Harbor to comprehensive, long-term data collection in order to establish and confirm baseline

conditions and track trends is commendable and vital for protecting this important resource.

Ideally, a full ten years of data are typically needed to develop good baseline data. During that

time other hot spots may emerge, and most normal annual weather cycles will have been

encountered. Continued expanded monitoring in the Silver Creek watershed to better bracket

current problem areas is critical to identify sources and to affect solutions. Visible water quality

results of watershed remediation efforts often lag behind the actual work, so there is a lot of work

ahead for the members of this dedicated organization and its partners. But with five years of

monitoring data now available, Bristol Harbor and its watershed is much better understood now.

University of Rhode Island, United States Department of Agriculture, and local

governments cooperating. Cooperative Extension in Rhode Island provides equal

opportunities without regard to race, age, color, national origin, sex or sexual

preference, creed, or handicap.

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Introduction: For the fifth year volunteers coordinated by Save Bristol Harbor (SBH) monitored water quality monitoring in the Bristol Harbor watershed in 2013. Save Bristol Harbor’s Predictive

Habitat Model Committee began the water quality data collection phase of the model

development process in cooperation with the University of Rhode Island (URI) Watershed Watch

program in the spring of 2009. The committee comprised of scientists from Roger Williams and

Brown Universities, SBH volunteers, as well as students from Mt. Hope High School and Roger

Williams University, initially identified eight (8) monitoring sites around the perimeter of Bristol

Harbor for monitoring in 2009. Dock and shoreline sites allowed easy and safe access for

volunteers, and good distribution around the harbor (see Table and Figure 1 for site information).

As a result of finding high nitrogen and bacteria at #3 Silver Creek outlet, in 2010 three upstream

sites were added, as well as an additional shoreline site closer to Narragansett Bay (#12

Herreshoff Dock). Added in 2012 were upstream sites (#14 and #15) designed to help better

target potential contamination sources. Brief descriptions of key parameters monitored, the

criteria used to assess conditions, data summaries, including charts and discussions of the results,

follow. An overview of the SBH monitoring program and parameters not discussed can be found

in the Appendices.

Figure 1. Bristol Harbor Monitoring Sites

Table 1: Bristol Harbor Water Quality Monitoring Site Information (2009 – 2013 sites)

Site ID Site Description Site ID Site Description Site ID Site Description

BH 1 Elks Club Dock BH 6 Sanroma BH 11 Silver West Branch

BH 2 BH Inn Dock BH 7 BH Yacht Club Dock BH 12 Herreshoff Dock

BH 3 Silver Creek Outlet BH 8 Brito Dock BH 13 Mack’s Dock

BH 4 Windmill Point Dock BH 9 Silver Bridge BH 14 DaPonte P/Wood St

BH 5 Mill Pond BH 10 Silver East Branch BH 15 Silver @ Gooding

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Weather summary: Weather can significantly affect water quality, often confounding the

assessment of water quality trends. This summary is based on weather data from the URI Weather

Station in Kingston, RI, which may not exactly represent conditions in Bristol, but provides a good

overview. Departures from normal were in relation to the average temperature and precipitation

values over the past thirty (30) years. While temperatures during most of the summer of 2013 (May

– July) were several degrees above normal, most of the rest of the year was slightly below or

normal. We would expect that warmer air temperatures result in warmer water temperatures,

which increases biological activity, and lowers dissolved oxygen levels (figure 2).

Figure 2. Weather Summary Charts

With the exception of a very wet June, all of 2013 was at or below normal precipitation levels

(figure 2). In general, the current precipitation pattern seems to be one of periods of extreme rain

events followed by dry periods. So while on an annual basis we are getting about average

amounts of precipitation, we aren’t getting the type of “lazy summer rains” that allows most of

the precipitation to soak into the ground. Rather we are seeing more heavy rain events, so called

“gully washers” that create problems with erosion, flooding and increased stormwater runoff

which carries more contaminants into receiving waters like Bristol Harbor.

Bristol Harbor field monitoring descriptions and summaries: Volunteers measured a number of key water quality indicators using field kits and instruments. These field measurements included

temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), salinity and also processing of samples for subsequent

URIWW laboratory analysis of chlorophyll. Water samples were taken from a depth of half a meter

(0.5m) from the surface or midway to the bottom using either a sampling pole or the “one arm

sampler” – the volunteer’s arm. With the exception of temperature, duplicate samples were

collected, and then duplicate measurements were made for each of the parameters, with the

average reported in Figures 3a and 3b.

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Dissolved oxygen and water temperature data tell us quite a bit about the health of the harbor.

Oxygen is critical to the survival of most of the animals and plants that live in the water; generally

the more oxygen, the healthier the ecosystem. Dissolved oxygen levels below 5 milligrams of

oxygen per liter of water (mg/L) can be stressful to many forms of life, particularly at the juvenile

life stage. Dissolved oxygen levels below 2 mg/L, also known as hypoxic or low oxygen, are lethal

for many species. When DO concentrations fall below 0.5 mg/L, the water is called anoxic, and

plants or animals that require oxygen can’t survive in that area. Oxygen enters the water through

two natural processes: (1) diffusion from the atmosphere and (2) photosynthesis by aquatic

plants, including algae. The mixing of surface waters by wind and waves increases the rate at

which oxygen from the air can be dissolved or absorbed into the water.

Temperature and salinity dictate the maximum DO that can be dissolved into salt water. As the

temperature increases, the amount of oxygen that can be dissolved into the water decreases.

Higher salinity and suspended solids levels also reduce the amount of oxygen that can be

dissolved into the water. These factors combine to affect DO levels. For example, salt water at

5°C can contain up to 10.5 mg/L, but at 25°C it can only hold 7.0 mg/L. Whereas freshwater at

5°C can contain up to 12.8 mg/L, and 8.3 mg/L DO at 25°C.

Dissolved oxygen is used by aquatic animals, as well as by plants and algae at night when there

isn’t any sunlight for photosynthesis. Thus DO levels are typically lowest early in the morning before

the rising sun triggers photosynthesis and drives up DO levels. This is why SBH volunteers monitor

around 6:00 am. Bacteria, fungi, and other decomposer organisms also reduce DO levels by

consuming oxygen while breaking down organic matter, such as dead algae. Consequently

algae blooms often cause DO declines when the algae die off and are decomposed.

In 2013, dissolved oxygen content remained generally good in Bristol Harbor, especially at sites

which are closer to the mouth of the harbor (#12 Herreshoff Dock, #1 Elks Club and #2 Bristol

Harbor Inn), where circulation and wind/wave mixing is better. The sites deeper within the harbor

(#4 Windmill Point, #6 Sanroma, and #8 Brito) showed periods of reduced DO (often within the

stressful range) and generally warmer water in mid-summer (July – August). Dissolved oxygen

levels in Mill Pond (#5) were in the stressful range (between 5 – 2 mg/l) from June through August.

While this was a longer period of time than in 2012, the minimum DO level recorded at #5 wasn’t

as low as the 2012 minimum of 1.9 mg/l. Having DO levels in the stressful/lethal range so regularly

suggests that aquatic life in Mill Pond is somewhat impaired. Brief periods of low DO were

recorded at Bristol Harbor Yacht Club (#7) as well in 2013, briefly dipping to potentially lethal

levels in early September.

Silver Creek continued to have potentially stressful DO levels through much of the summer in its

lower reaches. Sites #3 Silver Creek outlet and #9 Silver Bridge (Figure 3b) reflect the influence of

slower flowing water and periods of low flow in reducing dissolved oxygen content, as well as the

impact of biological activity resulting from nutrient enrichment. With the exception of Silver Creek

at Gooding Ave. (#15) the upstream creek sites (#14 DaPonte Pond/Silver at Wood St., #10 Silver

Creek East and #11 West Branches) also reflect the influence of storm water runoff, with much

more variable temperature and DO levels, and occasion drops into stressful levels. The DO /

temperature charts for these fresh water stream sites show the maximum 24°C temperature for

cold water stream fish such as trout. In 2013 temperatures in these stream sites typically did not

exceed that maximum. However, again with the exception of site #15, DO levels were frequently

too low for trout. However, conditions in these streams could support warm water fish (Figure 3b).

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Figure 3a. Bristol Harbor Sites (Arranged from Southeast to Northwest)

2013 Field Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature Data Charts

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Figure 3a (cont’d.). 2013 Bristol Harbor Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature Data Charts

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Figure 3b. 2013 Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature Silver Creek Outlet and Upstream Sites

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Figure 3b (cont’d). Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature Silver Creek Outlet and Upstream Sites

Chlorophyll is a photosynthetic pigment found in all plants, including algae. Chlorophyll-a (chl-a) is the most common form and is analyzed by URIWW to estimate the abundance of algae in

the water; the higher the chl-a level, the more algae. Like all plants, algae need sunlight to

convert energy and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) into food via photosynthesis. But algae

are sensitive to harmful ultraviolet rays in sunshine. Thus chl-a levels tend to be higher just below

the surface where they still have access to sunlight but the water filters out harmful wavelengths.

Forming the base of the aquatic food web, algae are essential for a healthy harbor. They are

eaten by zooplankton (microscopic animals) and small fish, which are eaten by larger animals.

The abundance of animals in an estuary often depends on the amount of algae. However, too

much algae, blooms visible as green blooms or cloudy water, can result in poor water clarity,

unpleasant odors, and lead to low oxygen particularly in bottom waters and can sometimes

even fish kills. The USEPA’s National Coastal Assessment (NCA) program criteria for chl-a in

northeastern estuaries are: 20 ppb

(elevated) – Poor (USEPA 2008).

Bristol Harbor sites generally had moderate algae levels throughout the summer in 2013, an

indicator of a healthy aquatic ecosystem (figure 4a). However algae bloom were evident at sites

#5 Mill Pond, and #4 Windmill Point in early July, and a much larger bloom was recorded at #7

Bristol Harbor Yacht Club in June, with moderate levels the remainder of the season. Figure 4b

shows that very significant algal blooms were again experienced in several of the Silver Creek

sites (sites #3, #9, #10, #14), requiring a change in scale for these charts. The remaining Silver

Creek sites tend to be flowing more often, thus floating algae are not able to accumulate in the

same way as they can at the slower flowing sites. However an algal bloom was conspicuous in

the fall at #11 Silver West and downstream at #15 Silver at Gooding Ave.

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Figure 4a. 2013 Bristol Harbor Sites Chlorophyll Data Charts (Arranged from Southeast to Northwest)

(Silver Creek #3 included in Figure 4b – Silver Creek sites)

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Figure 4a (cont’d.). 2013 Bristol Harbor Chlorophyll Data Charts

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Figure 4b. 2013 Silver Creek and Upstream Sites Chlorophyll Data Charts

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Figure 4b (cont’d). 2013 Silver Creek and Upstream Sites Chlorophyll Data Charts

Shellfish Waters Bacteria Monitoring: Fecal coliform bacteria are an indicator of fecal contamination and potentially disease causing organisms or pathogens. The National Shellfish

Sanitation Program has established maximum acceptable fecal coliform levels at 14 colony

forming units (cfu)/100 mL for waters from which shellfish can be harvested. The standard was

designed to prevent human illness associated with the consumption of fresh and frozen shellfish,

and thus is quite conservative. Because bacteria levels can fluctuate dramatically and be

impacted by short-term intermittent, localized sources such as by waterfowl droppings, bacteria

average concentrations are typically reported as the geometric mean. This statistical method

transforms a set of highly variable data (as bacteria can be) in order to better represent an

average level. Thus a single very high sample will not overwhelm routine low or below detection

values as might happen with arithmetic averaging.

Fecal coliforms at all of the in-harbor sites continued to be variable in 2013, but were typically

lower than they had been in 2012, returning to conditions more like previous years (figure 5). Most

Bristol Harbor sites had geometric means that met the shellfishing standards (figure 6). Mill Pond

(#5) and the Silver Creek sites and harbor sites adjacent to the creek’s outflow continued to

have extended periods of high fecal coliform levels throughout much of the monitoring season

(Table 2). The 2013 data added to the evidence that there is a significant amount of bacteria

washing into the Bristol Harbor system from Silver Creek watershed (figure 5).

(Note: In the tables and charts that follow, Silver Creek (#3) and upstream sites (# 9 - #15) are

grouped at the right side of each chart and the bottom of the tables. The harborside sites are

arranged from southeast to northwest with the outermost harbor sites first.)

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Table 2. 2013 Shellfish Bacteria Indicator Data – Fecal Coliform Bacteria

2-May 30-May 27-Jun 25-Jul 22-Aug 19-Sep 17-Oct GEOMEAN

Site ID - - - - - Most Probable Number of Fecal coliform per 100 mL - - - - -

BH12

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Swimming Waters Bacteria Monitoring: Enterococcus spp. is the indicator bacteria for water quality at public beaches. Based on federal recommendations, the Rhode Island Department of

Environmental Management (RIDEM) set the primary contact (swimming) water quality standard

for salt waters at a geometric mean of 35 enterococcus/100 mL for five or more samples.

Geometric means for non-swimming fresh waters is 54 enterococcus/100 mL. To be more

responsive to short term events, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIHealth) adopted a

single sample standard for swimming advisories at licensed beaches. For salt waters, the RIHealth

beach standard is 104 most probable number (MPN - a statistically based reporting method)

enterococci/100 mL, and 61 MPN/100 mL for fresh water.

Table 3. 2013 Swimming Bacteria Indicator Data: Enterococcus Bacteria

2-May 30-May 27-Jun 25-Jul 22-Aug 19-Sep 17-Oct GEOMEAN

Site ID - - - - - Most Probable Number of Enterococci per 100 mL - - - - - -

BH12 20 150

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periods when swimming would not have been advisable (figure 8). As with fecal coliform, the

Silver Creek systems had elevated enterococci levels throughout most of the season. Fortunately

there is little to no swimming at these sites, but these results confirm that the creek and its

watershed are likely a significant source of bacteria to the harbor.

Figure 8. 2013 Bristol Harbor Sites – Enterococci Bacteria Data Chart

Bristol Harbor Nutrients, 2009 – 2013:

Figure 9. Nutrients in the Coastal Zone (from http://kodu.ut.ee/~olli/eutr/html/htmlBook_78.html)

Nitrogen is a natural and essential part of all marine

ecosystems, as it is required

for the growth of algae or

phytoplankton, the primary

producers that form the

base of the harbor’s food

web (USEPA 2008; figure 9.)

Excess nitrogen (N)

adversely affects water

quality and degrades

habitat, ultimately

impacting a wide range

marine organisms including

fish and shellfish. Nutrient

overloading in marine

ecosystems over-stimulates

the growth of algae. Too

much algae blocks sunlight

to eelgrass, reducing the

quality and area of this

valuable nursery habitat and feeding ground. In addition, living and dying algae consume

oxygen, leading to hypoxic (low oxygen) and anoxic (no oxygen) conditions. This process of

water quality decline creates a chain reaction of negative impacts known as eutrophication.

Poor water clarity, bad odors, stressed marine organisms and even fish kills are all symptoms of

eutrophic conditions marine organisms including fish and shellfish (Howes et al. 1999).

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Total nitrogen, which includes both organic nitrogen (the N found in live, dead or decomposing plants and animals) as well as inorganic (the N that is dissolved into solution or bound to

sediments, etc.) is widely used by scientists as an indicator of eutrophication or nutrient

enrichment in marine waters. Levels below 350 parts per billion (ppb) are characteristic of low

nutrient waters, while values above 600-700 ppb indicate nitrogen enrichment (Howes et al.

1999). Total nitrogen (TN) levels in most of the Bristol Harbor sites have been at low to moderate

levels throughout most of the seasons since 2009, with the exception of Silver Creek outlet (#3)

and upstream sites. In general harbor annual TN averages have decreased since monitoring

began (figure 10a). The TN levels in the upstream tributaries (Silver Creek sites #9 - #15) continue

to be very high, on average more than double the harbor sites (figure 10b). These data are

particularly interesting because TN at the two downstream sites (#3 and #9) are lower than

upstream sites and continue to decline. Total nitrogen at the upstream sites (#10 - #15) are quite

high, with levels increasing are you move upstream. This suggests that there may be areas

downstream from those stream segments that act as nitrogen sinks, where N is trapped and

converted to its atmospheric form of nitrogen gas (N2 or N2O) by microbes, keeping it from

flowing downstream. Protecting and enhancing these wetland areas could help to reduce the

impact from stormwater runoff. Maintaining the expanded monitoring upstream on Silver Creek

would be important for tracking changes in incoming nitrogen, and perhaps to identify potential

nitrogen sinks.

Figure 10a. Bristol Harbor Annual Total Nitrogen Data Chart

Figure 10b. Bristol Harbor 2013 Total Nitrogen Data Chart

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Ammonia-nitrogen (NH4-N) is the most reactive form of N in aquatic systems. It is soluble, readily adheres to soils and sediments, and is converted to nitrate by microbes when oxygen is present

through a process called nitrification. Nitrification requires a substantial amount of oxygen and

carbonate, thus can reduce both DO levels and pH slightly. In excess, ammonia-nitrogen can be

toxic, particularly to early life stages of a variety of aquatic species. The level at which ammonia

becomes lethal is dependent on water temperature, pH, and salinity, so site specific criteria are

applied (see http://www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/regs/water/h20q09a.pdf for more information). In general, given the conditions in Bristol Harbor, the chronic exposure critical ammonia level would

be >650 ppb, much higher than the levels found at any Save Bristol Harbor site (Figure 11a).

Interestingly, NH4-N levels in Silver Creek (#3) have declined to levels consistent with other harbor

sites. Typically, NH4-N starts out low each season, peaking in mid-summer or early autumn, as

illustrated by the 2013 monthly results (figure 11b).

Figure 11a. Bristol Harbor Annual Ammonia-Nitrogen Data Chart

Figure 11b. Bristol Harbor 2013 Ammonia-Nitrogen Data Chart

Nitrate + nitrite-nitrogen (NO3-N) is also a soluble form of N, and is readily taken up for use by algae and submerged vegetation during the summer growing season. When oxygen is absent

(anoxic conditions), bacteria convert nitrate-N to gaseous N (N2 or N2O) through a process called

denitrification, which removes N from the soil-water environment. In 2009 NO3-N levels were

typically near or below the 10 ppb minimum detection level for most sites, except the Silver Creek

sites. Results for the harbor sites have been relatively consistently since 2009. Figure 12a and 12b

show the comparatively high levels in the upstream Silver Creek sites (#9 - #15). Nitrate + nitrite-N

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levels in these sites were high throughout most of the monitoring 2013 season, resulting in

averages of 622 - 1899 ppb (figure 12b).

Figure 12a. Bristol Harbor Annual Nitrate + nitrite-Nitrogen Data Chart

Figure 12b. Bristol Harbor 2013 Nitrate + nitrite-Nitrogen Data Chart

Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN): The National Coastal Assessment program uses dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), which includes ammonia-N (NH4-N) and nitrate + nitrite-N (NO3-N), as a

Figure 13a. Bristol Harbor Sites – Annual Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen Data Chart

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key component in its coastal conditions assessment. For northeastern estuaries, DIN levels 500 ppb considered Poor water

quality (USEPA 2008). All of the harbor sites had lower DIN levels in 2013 than the previous year,

even where Silver Creek discharged into the harbor (#3) (figure 13a). Those lower DIN values in

the harbor were especially interesting since DIN was markedly higher in 2013 in the upstream

Silver Creek sites (#9 - #15) than in 2012. The DIN levels in the harbor sites continued to be much

lower than DIN in the Silver Creek sites in 2013 (figure 13b).

Figure 13b. Bristol Harbor Sites – 2013 Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen Data Chart

Phosphorus: In most estuaries such as Bristol Harbor, nitrogen is the primary nutrient that controls algal and plant growth. However phosphorus (P) is also essential for life, and in salt water

environments P levels are considered in relationship to N levels. If large amounts of nitrogen are

available, with adequate phosphorus present, algal blooms can occur. Phosphorus was

analyzed as the total form, which includes P bound in particulate (organic and inorganic)

matter, and soluble or dissolved forms which are readily used by algae. Dissolved inorganic P

(known as dissolved P (DIP) or orthophosphate P) has been analyzed in Bristol Harbor since 2010.

Figure 14a. Bristol Harbor Annual Total Phosphorus Data Chart

Total Phosphorus: Except for the Silver Creek sites, annual total phosphorus (TP) values have generally been below 100 ppb, the level of concern based on the amount of nitrogen typically

found in estuaries (Figure 14a). Total phosphorus levels in the harbor have generally been below

the level of concern, similar to TN levels. However TP annual concentrations have been

somewhat variable, and several sites have had some years with high levels. Total phosphorus

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levels at Silver Creek (#3) have been decreasing, while upstream sites have been somewhat

more variable. In particular, Silver Bridge (#9), the next site upstream, has had increasing TP

levels, suggesting either dilution, absorption by sediments or attenuation of the phosphorus

between the 2 sites is occurring (similar to TN attenuation). In general stream TP concentrations

followed a similar pattern as did the bacteria suggesting the strong influence of stormwater on TP

values (figure 14b).

Figure 14b. Bristol Harbor 2013 Total Phosphorus Data Chart

Dissolved Phosphorus: Dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) is the portion of P readily available for use by aquatic organisms, and is analogous to DIN. The National Coastal Assessment program

uses DIP as a key component in its coastal conditions assessment. DIP surface concentrations 50 ppb considered Poor. Rhode

Island doesn’t have criteria for DIP, but maintaining low stream levels reduces harbor inputs.

Figure 15a. Bristol Harbor Annual Dissolved Phosphorus Data Chart

In 2013 annual DIP levels at the Elk’s Club (#1) and BH Inn (#2) were quite elevated compared to

past seasons, and were actually higher than any other Bristol Harbor monitoring site that year,

reaching elevated or Poor levels. All of the other harbor sites, and even the Silver Creek sites,

have been within the moderate or Fair range for DIP (Figure 15a). Those elevated DIP levels were

due to intermittent DIP spikes, rather than consistently higher values in 2013 (figure 15b).

Continued monitoring will be important to try and identify the source of the DIP, and to

determine if it’s part of an overall trend.

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Figure 15b. Bristol Harbor 2013 Dissolved Phosphorus Data Chart

Hats off to these outstanding water quality volunteers… Bob Aldrich, Joe Arruda, Bob Arsenault,

Denise Arsenault, Stephen Barker, Christine Bean, Kevin Beauleiu, Chip Cavallaro, Janet

Christopher, Elizabeth Cox, Aly Dion, Susan Donovan, Rob & Gwen Hancock, Barbara Healy, Mike

Kotuby, Keith Maloney, Clara Mendonca, Katia & Marguerite Moran, Kai Norden, Valerie & Mike

Oliver, Gregory Rego, Ethan Tucker, and Dan Vilinski. These outstanding individuals got up very

early each Thursday morning throughout the 2013 season, rain or shine, working in teams to

monitor their site.

… and especially to their resolute local coordinators (and fellow dedicated water quality

monitors): Bob Aldrich and Keith Maloney. Each season these fine gentlemen work tirelessly and

cheerfully to recruit volunteers, coordinate training sessions, keep in touch with everyone, ensure

that the local volunteers had all the necessary equipment, supplies and any other resources they

need and act as couriers, delivering samples on a monthly basis with cheery greetings to the URI

Watershed Watch staff and student interns. Please see the Save Bristol Harbor website

(http://www.savebristolharbor.com/) to learn more about their efforts or how you can help.

Keith Maloney and Bob

Aldrich working to protect

Bristol Harbor (Photo from

http://www.eastbayri.co

m/tag/save-bristol-

harbor/)

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References:

Howes, Brian, Tony Williams and Mark Rasmussen, 1999. BayWatchers II Nutrient related water

quality of Buzzards Bay embayments: a synthesis of Baywatchers monitoring 1992-1998

http://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/bayinfo/publications/BaywatchersII/baywaters-pages3-

34.pdf.

Olli, Kalle. 2004. Drainage basin nutrient inputs and eutrophication: an integrated approach.

eBook, Universesity of Tartu, Institute of Botany and Ecology, Tartu, Estonia -

http://kodu.ut.ee/~olli/eutr/html/htmlBook.html

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Ocean Service Education

Monitoring Estuaries website

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/estuaries/estuaries10_monitoring.html

Russian River Pathogen Project (RRPP) Working Draft Report, Updated 01/28/2008

http://rrpp.ice.ucdavis.edu/node/7

Save Bristol Harbor website http://www.savebristolharbor.com

United States Environmental Protect Agency (EPA), 2008. National Estuary Program Coastal

Condition Report Introduction

http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/nepccr/pdf/nepccr_intro.pdf

University of Rhode Island (URI) Office of Marine Programs’ Discovery of Estuarine Environments

website http://omp.gso.uri.edu/ompweb/doee/science/intro.htm)

University of Rhode Island Watershed Watch website (includes monitoring manual, data, fact

sheets, and links to local, regional and national information) http://www.uri.edu/ce/wq/ww

Appendix A. Volunteer Monitoring Overview

Volunteer Monitoring: Save Bristol Harbor volunteers were trained by URI Watershed Watch

(URIWW) staff to conduct water quality monitoring. The volunteer monitors were provided with

equipment and supplies as well as detailed, written monitoring procedures manuals. Monitoring

followed a schedule designed to cover the period of peak biological activity in the harbor - from

mid-May through mid-October. The schedule consisted of biweekly early morning on-site

monitoring of water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll sample collection

and processing. (See URIWW monitoring manuals and field quality assurance project plans

available at www.uri.edu/ce/wq/ww/Manuals.htm for more specific information.) All on-site

monitoring data was submitted to URIWW on monitoring postcards or online.

In addition to the bi-weekly on-site monitoring, once a month the volunteers also collected a

suite of water samples, which were brought to a central collection point in Bristol. There samples

were packed on ice in a cooler and brought to the state-certified URIWW Analytical Laboratory

in Kingston. Bacteria, pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and chlorophyll were analyzed according to

standard URIWW laboratory procedures (see Quality Assurance Project Plan: University of Rhode

Island Watershed Watch Analytical Laboratory www.uri.edu/ce/wq/wq/ww/Qapps.htm for

additional information). The sampling schedule was designed to ensure that monitoring occurred

early in the morning in order to measure the lowest daily dissolved oxygen, and that the samples

would reach the URIWW laboratory within acceptable hold times.

http://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/bayinfo/publications/BaywatchersII/baywaters-pages3-34.pdfhttp://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/bayinfo/publications/BaywatchersII/baywaters-pages3-34.pdfhttp://kodu.ut.ee/~olli/eutr/html/htmlBook.htmlhttp://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/estuaries/estuaries10_monitoring.htmlhttp://www.savebristolharbor.com/http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/nepccr/pdf/nepccr_intro.pdfhttp://omp.gso.uri.edu/ompweb/doee/science/intro.htmhttp://www.uri.edu/ce/wq/ww

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Appendix B. Additional Water Quality Results

2013 pH Data:

Bristol Harbors Sites 2-May 30-May 27-Jun 28-Jul 22-Aug 19-Sep 17-Oct MEAN

- - - - - - - - - - - - Standard pH Units - - - - - - - - - - - - -

BH12-Herreshoff 8.1 7.8 8.2 7.9 7.8 7.9 7.9 7.9

BH01-Elks Club 8.0 7.7 - 8.2 7.8 8.0 7.9 7.9

BH02-BH Inn 7.9 7.8 8.2 7.9 7.9 8.0 7.9 7.9

BH04-Windmill Pt 8.2 7.7 8.2 - 7.7 8.0 7.9 7.9

BH05-Mill Pond 7.9 7.9 7.9 7.6 7.7 7.9 7.9 7.8

BH06-Sanroma 8.2 7.8 8.1 7.6 7.9 7.8 7.8 7.9

BH07-BH Yacht Club 8.2 7.9 8.4 7.7 7.9 8.0 7.9 8.0

BH08-Brito Dock 8.1 7.9 8.3 7.8 7.8 7.9 7.9 8.0

BH03-Silver Creek 7.5 6.9 7.3 7.6 7.9 7.7 7.9 7.5

BH09-Silver Bridge 7.5 7.2 7.6 7.1 7.1 7.2 - 7.3

BH14-DaPonte/Wood 7.5 6.8 9.2 7.1 7.6 7.9 8.5 7.8

BH11-Silver West 7.4 7.0 7.3 7.0 6.8 7.2 6.1 7.0

BH15-Silver Gooding 7.2 6.9 7.5 7.2 7.4 7.4 7.5 7.3

BH10-Silver East 7.4 7.0 7.3 7.4 7.0 6.9 7.3 7.2

2009 – 2013 pH Data Chart