Washington State Department of Ecology scientists will place a pinkish dye into the Sammamish River at approximately 5 p.m. on Aug. 24 as part of a water quality study. This is the second time the department has conducted the test this summer.

“A similar dye release and other field research in late July went well, but we do not yet have data from those activities,” said  Department of Ecology spokesperson Larry Altose. “A second dye release is routine in this kind of stream study.”

The dye release will occur just upstream from the Northeast Marymoor Way river crossing in Redmond but will flow down through Bothell. The dye will most likely not reach Kenmore, according to Altose.

The dye will look pink or rust colored. Department officials emphasize that it does not harm people, pets, plants or aquatic life. Scientists use the dye to better understand the river’s flow in order to help plan to solve the stream’s problems with low oxygen and high temperatures.

The department conducted the same study on July 21.