Esmé, a 4+1 Marine Science master’s student at the University of New England, working under the guidance of Dr. Tricia Thibodeau, is assessing spatiotemporal changes in the Saco River over the last 20 years. Her research is utilizing data from 250 water monitoring stations to analyze key water quality parameters including pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, and temperature.

During the 2026 SWC’s Partners Meeting on June 18th, Esmé shared preliminary findings from two monitoring sites; River Road Bridge in Bartlett, New Hampshire, and Front Street Boat Launch in Saco, Maine.

Her initial analysis revealed significant changes in conductivity and pH at the Front Street site, as well as significant changes in pH at the River Road Bridge site. Additional analysis is underway to determine whether factors such as river discharge or other physical conditions may have influenced these results.

As the project continues, Esmé plans to expand the number of monitoring stations, incorporate additional water quality parameters, and finalize a universal document that compiles water quality information from across the watershed.

Stay tuned for more updates as Esmé’s research progresses!