Politics & Government

Red Dye to Temporarily Discolor Des Plaines River Near Lemont

U.S. Geological Survey will perform a dye test beginning Aug. 2.

A harmless red dye will temporarily discolor the Des Plaines River near Lemont next week, government officials announced Thursday.

Beginning Aug. 2, scientists from the United States Geological Survey will be performing a dye test on the Des Plaines River and Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal between Route 83 and the Lemont area, according to a news release.

As a result, the water will have a reddish tint until approximately Aug. 5.

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The study will determine locations where water from the Des Plaines River may be moving into the canal, and is part of a larger study on the potential of Asian carp eggs and other invasive species to migrate to Lake Michigan, the release states.

"By using low, non-hazardous concentrations of dye, we can identify the exact areas, if any, where openings in the bedrock are large enough for invasive carp eggs and other invasives to migrate through and enter the CSSC, giving them a direct pathway into Lake Michigan," said Doug Yeskis, director of the USGS Illinois Water Science Center. "Asian carp can be destructive to native ecosystems because they compete with native fish for food, and this study will inform strategies to prevent their migration into Lake Michigan."

Find out what's happening in Lemontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to the release, USGS scientists will begin setting up the equipment Aug. 1, and will inject the dye on Aug. 2 and Aug. 3. The water will be observed Aug. 2-5. If the movement is not complete, the USGS will continue to monitor the area.

This dye injection study is part of the Interbasin Transfer Project funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, according to the release.

For more information about water resources in Illinois, visit the USGS Illinois Water Science Center website.


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