News photo by Steve Schulwitz A current runs down the Thunder Bay River in Alpena on Monday. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy began conducting tests in Alpena to verify and establish stormwater connections and discharge at select locations along the north bank of the river.

ALPENA — The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy began conducting tests in Alpena to verify and establish stormwater connections and discharge at select locations along the north bank of the Thunder Bay River.

The tests, which consist of different color dyes being placed into the water, began on Monday and will continue until May 6, and then EGLE will review the data.

A contractor, WSP from Traverse City, will conduct the testing for the state.

In a press release Sunday, EGLE said chemicals released into the environment can migrate through stormwater systems to surface water, like the river, and eventually make their way into the Great Lakes.

This study will help the state identify where contaminants may migrate into the stormwater system and then be discharged to the Thunder Bay River. The results will help to mitigate this from occurring in the future, the press release says.

During the testing, EGLE says people may notice different color dyes drifting on the river’s surface, but that people should not be alarmed by them because they will not have a negative impact on the water quality or on wildlife.

“The dyes being used are all non-toxic and have been approved specifically for use in this study by the EGLE – Water Resource Division,” the release says. “Because these dyes are not toxic, they are also all pre-approved for use in dye testing work in groundwater, storm water or surface water across the state.”

The dyes being used in this study include a bright green dye that consists of Fluorescein, a red dye that is Rhodamine WT, and a pink dye that is Eosin.

The dyes will eventually fade away naturally, the press release says.

“While some of these dyes may be apparent in or on the river’s surface during dye testing, these dyes are all photosensitive, meaning they degrade or break down in the presence of natural ultraviolet light over time,” the press release says.

Testing will be done at several different locations in the Thunder Bay River, including behind the water tower and skate park on 9th Avenue and near the 9th Avenue Bridge.

An email was sent to a representative of EGLE seeking comment on what type of contaminants could be found in the river, when the results of the tests would be known, and what, if anything, happens after the results of the tests are learned.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@TheAlpenaNews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.