A drastic change in water colour in the Skeena and its tributaries over the next two months is not to be feared, according to the Kitsumkalum First Nation.
Highly visible, non-toxic, dye will be added to the water as part of an upcoming water flow study being conducted on the river.
That study is part of a larger spill response strategy being developed in case of a CN railcar derailment in the area.
Once added to the water, drones, sensors, and GPS trackers will plot the movement of the dye to determine what path it takes.
With an uptick in the number of railcars coming through the region on the way, Kitsumkalum decided to partner with Northwest Hydraulics to conduct the study.
There will be two releases of the non-toxic, biodegradable dye, one near the Kitsumkalum Reserve on July 2nd to the 5th, and one in the Khyex River area on August 15th to the 31st.
