The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is alerting South Santiam River users downstream of Foster Dam that they may notice green dye in the river early in March.
The exact release date had not yet been determined last week.
Engineers will use fluorocine dye to test the water recirculation system of the new Foster Adult Fish Facility under construction on the south bank of the river near Wiley Park. The dye will simulate the formalin solution used by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to treat fish for diseases and parasites.
All such treatments must meet or exceed Oregon Department of Environmental Quality standards. The test will determine how effectively the solution spreads through the facility’s holding pools, and if it might reach the river.
The dye will disperse quickly in the river and break down completely in five to seven days. The Corps has coordinated the test with the City of Sweet Home, Linn County and ODEQ.
The Foster Adult Fish Facility Upgrade Project is part of the Corps’ ongoing efforts to restore Upper Willamette River spring Chinook salmon and winter steelhead listed under the Endangered Species Act.
For more information, visit http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Currentprojects/FosterFishCollectionFacilityRebuild.aspx.