CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green arose by accident when plumbers used fluorescein dye to trace sources of illegal pollution discharges. The dyeing of the river is still sponsored by the local plumbers union. Now, 45 lbs of (safe) vegetable dye is used. These images are from Saturday morning, March 17, 2018.

Chicago River 2018 by Paul Sager, on Flickr
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The formulation of the dye is a closely held secret. The original color is a reddish-orange tone that turns emerald green after mixing into the river water.

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Although the parade started in 1956, the river dye tradition started later in 1961.

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The EPA outlawed the use of fluorescein after it was shown to be harmful to the river.

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The parade committee switched to a mix of powdered vegetable dye that is poured in from a boat.

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The green-colored water travels from the Chicago River to the Illinois River, onto the Mississippi, followed by the Gulf Stream and across the Atlantic until it enters the Irish Sea, “clearly marking the way from Chicago to Ireland.”

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Several boats travel up and down the river mixing in the dye.

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Actually, the green coloration only lasts about 5 hours.

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These images are sized to fill your wide-screen display. Try using <F11> to maximize your browser window for the full effect. If the images overshoot your display, such as a laptop, just click on the image or the URL link and they'll resize to your screen from the host Flickr site. You can click a bit further into the image details on the Flickr page, if desired. EXIF data is available from the host Flickr pages as well. On the Flickr site, use your <L>key for Large and the <F11> for the full-screen.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Thank you so much for my lesson of the day. Great photos. Didn’t know any of this.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Nice color...

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Very nice set.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you kpmac! The morning temps in the 30s included the possibility for snow. Just before the parade started at noon, the sun was breaking through the clouds but the wind made things seem even worse. The sunny and calm afternoon was most welcome.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you NMGal! The green color is pretty amazing.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you rmorrison1116! The green color is pretty amazing.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Nice set Paul.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

That is an interesting set of photos.

bigwolf40 Loc: Effort, Pa.

Very nice set. I have a 27 inch screen and they look great with beautiful color. Rich

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you Jack, it was a really fun day!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you John! I took the L downtown and at 8am on Saturday, the cars were as crowded as rushhour.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you Rich! There was a look of neon ish colors to capture. Glad you enjoyed.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I like the last one with the Trump bldg. The green would function as a green screen color I think.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

Isn't that the river's usual color?