Above: Bioluminescent waves at a beach in Southern California.
( KTLA ) – 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 they’ve been unable to answer: 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 has been fine much to the surprise of researchers.
So, what gives?