Watershed Watch

Providing information on the water quality of surface water resources throughout Rhode Island

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On this 25th anniversary of the tragedy of September 11th we remember those that were lost or suffered that day or as a result of those events. We send comforting thoughts and hope that we never forget!

The fifth round of samples for the 2026 monitoring season has begun. We’ll be accepting September (rivers and marine sites mostly, and DEEP lakes) on Saturday, September 12th. Other sites are welcome to bring in samples too – just let us know in advance so we have replacement bottles ready)! Wondering when you should bring yours in? Check out the labels on your bottles or “Monitoring Schedules” to learn more… And please contact us if the scheduled time doesn’t work with your schedule.

Here’s a great example of why protecting water quality is so important URI graduate students have found a rare and unexpected freshwater mussel in Moosup River (a former Watershed Watch monitoring site). Check it out at https://www.uri.edu/news/2026/07/uri-researchers-discover-rare-freshwater-mussels-in-moosup-river/.

Happy waning days of summer – can’t believe it’s nearly over already!! 

Great video by Hanna Instruments about the Rhode Island Chapter of Trout Unlimited and it’s work to protect trout habitat and water quality. URIWW even gets a shout out (and some screen time) Check it out at  https://hannainst.com/rhode-island-trout-unlimited/

RI Department of Environmental Management has posted updated maps of sites with aquatic invasive plants and Asian clams.

We’ve had lots of HABs advisories in 2026.  To learn more these blooms or current advisories posted to warm of potential harm if you swim in a particular place, check out our HABs resource page. 

Want to see more about HABS? Check out this Self Magazine article that features URIWW: https://www.self.com/story/toxic-blue-green-algae

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