Mike Salsbury/The Olympian
Hannah Olsson, 10, stands next to the blood-red water of the Deschutes River at Historical Park in Tumwater on Tuesday after an environmentally safe dye was placed in the river by the Miller Brewing Co. The dye was intended to help measure the flow of the waterway.

Waterfall runs red --but it's just a test

RUTH LONGORIA, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published June 20, 2001

TUMWATER -- Red water flowing over the waterfall at Tumwater Falls Park caused some concern among spectators Tuesday.

But, not to worry, it was only a test, state Department of Ecology officials said.

Four gallons of red dye were released into the water at the falls in a study initiated by the Miller Brewing Co., authorities said.

"It's a completely harmless dye, but it's a pretty interesting process," said Sandy Howard, with the Department of Ecology.

The dye is nontoxic and does not require Department of Ecology notification, she said.

Miller hired CH2M Hill, an engineering and research firm in Bellevue, to study the flow and patterns of the waterway.

Miller representatives did not return phone calls Tuesday to explain why the tests were necessary.

For the study, a tracing dye called rhodamine was released into the water at the top of the falls about 2 p.m. Tuesday.

By 4:30 p.m., water entering the Deschutes River had diluted the dye significantly, and it was losing its red color, said David Wilson, scientific lead on studies at CH2M Hill.

"It was pretty spectacular as the tracer and water came over the falls and circulated in patterns," Wilson said.

As water dilutes the tracer, it can still be measured with scientific instruments, he said.

However, the tracer is not like a typical dye that changes the color of substances it comes in contact with, Wilson said.

"It's not harmful and it won't change the color of any animals or cling to anything," he said.

Wilson will continue to study water patterns for a week or more -- long after all traces of red tracer are gone, he said.

On Tuesday, Miller notified officials at Tumwater Falls Park about the test, but not before some visitors and staff members were beginning to notice a change in the water.

"They notified us pretty late today," said Michael Fanning, an employee of Tumwater Falls Park.

"I happened to look out and see the water and it was all red. That was surprising."

Ruth Longoria covers Tumwater for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5435.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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