Clarks Creek Will Run Red For 'Dye Test' Wednesday

PUYALLUP, WA — Clarks Creek will briefly run red next week, but city officials say not to worry. On Wednesday, May 27, Pierce County will launch a one-day dye test to check the flow of the water in the creek.

According to the city, the county will dump red dye into the creek near the intersection of 15th avenue SW and 14th street. Afterwards researchers watch the so-called "slug" or pulse of dyed water as it travels down the creek. Researchers say the goal of the study is to determine how much invasive elodea has grown in river bed this year. Elodea is a weed that can clog rivers, slowing the water down and even causing flooding if left unchecked.

The county says the water will likely stay red or pinkish for a while after the test, but should be totally cleared up within 24 hours.

After the study, Puyallup says crews will begin removing the elodea sometime between June 1 and August 1, then they'll do a second dye test to see how successful the removal was.

Invasive elodea has been an ongoing problem for Clarks Creek for at least the last 3 years. You can read more about their plan to restore and revive the creek on Pierce County's website here.