Residents of Stockton may notice an unusual sight this week as McCleod Lake in downtown turns pink. The lake has been temporarily dyed by scientists from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) using rhodamine dye to study the factors behind harmful algal blooms, which occur some years but not others.
The vibrant pink color will spread throughout the lake as DWR scientists track how water flows in and out of the lake at various depths. The dye is expected to completely color the lake pink, purple, or red before beginning to dissipate on Thursday.
This study is part of a larger effort, with a second study planned for early 2025 during the wet season, to better understand the conditions that lead to algal blooms and how to prevent them in the future.