During the summer, a team of students and scientists led by Chris Gobler, professor of marine science at Stony Brook University and director of the New York State Center for Clean Water Technology, tests the water quality weekly at about 30 locations around Long Island. The result is the Long Island Water Quality Report, which aims to provide regular snapshots of ecosystem health, with an eye to how well the region's bays, harbors, rivers and inlets support robust fishing and shellfishing activity.

A good rating indicates clear water, adequate oxygen levels and no or low levels of algae or bacteria from human or animal waste, with levels of all parameters meeting or exceeding all state and federal water quality standards.

This week’s ratings are as follows:

GOOD: South Oyster Bay, Shinnecock Inlet, Mattituck Inlet, Little Peconic Bay, Great Peconic Bay

FAIR: Hempstead Harbor, Oyster Bay Harbor, Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington Harbor, Northport Harbor, Stony Brook Harbor, Port Jefferson Harbor, Mount Sinai Harbor, Hewlett Bay, Middle Bay, Fire Island Inlet, western Great South Bay, central Great South Bay, mid-Shinnecock Bay, western Flanders Bay, Peconic River, Sag Harbor, Three Mile Harbor

POOR: eastern Great South Bay, Forge River, central Moriches Bay, eastern Moriches Bay, Quantuck Bay, western Shinnecock Bay — low dissolved oxygen, algal bloom, water clarity

A brave young patriot receives a burial 83 years after being lost in war. Volunteers restore a Revolutionary War cemetery. A Gold Star mom makes it her mission to honor her son’s sacrifice. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie shares three stories in honor of Memorial Day. Credit: Randee Daddona; Photo credits: Anthony Veneziano, Cathy Heighter

Memorial Day 2026: NewsdayTV honors those we've lost A brave young patriot receives a burial 83 years after being lost in war. Volunteers restore a Revolutionary War cemetery. A Gold Star mom makes it her mission to honor her son's sacrifice. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie shares three stories in honor of Memorial Day.

A brave young patriot receives a burial 83 years after being lost in war. Volunteers restore a Revolutionary War cemetery. A Gold Star mom makes it her mission to honor her son’s sacrifice. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie shares three stories in honor of Memorial Day. Credit: Randee Daddona; Photo credits: Anthony Veneziano, Cathy Heighter

Memorial Day 2026: NewsdayTV honors those we've lost A brave young patriot receives a burial 83 years after being lost in war. Volunteers restore a Revolutionary War cemetery. A Gold Star mom makes it her mission to honor her son's sacrifice. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie shares three stories in honor of Memorial Day.

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