A lake in Northern California is getting a dye job, but it’s not to improve its aesthetic. No, this makeover will serve an important function.
Researchers from the California Department of Water Resources are dyeing McLeod Lake in downtown Stockton, turning it from its greenish-blue hue to a muted pink.
It’s part of a study that researchers hope will shed some light on a question that they’ve been unable to answer themselves:
Why do harmful algal blooms happen some years, but not others?
In 2022, McLeod Lake was the site of a harmful algal bloom that turned the waters into a vibrant shade of green. But in 2024, the lake is fine, much to the surprise of researchers.
So, what gives?
“This year is an above normal water year type, and we did expect to see blooms out here. We’re a little bit surprised that we haven’t, and so we’re not quite sure why, but we’re hoping that this study can help inform that,” said Ellen Preece, senior environmental scientist at DWR.