Staff have been monitoring the pond’s transformation since October 30.
— I got a report from someone who was walking on the beach, who called and said ‘something strange is going on here,’ says park manager Bret Wolfe.
At first, algal blooms were suspected to be behind the color, but laboratory tests were able to rule out toxic algae as the cause.
The culprit is instead believed to be halobacteria, which thrive in water with a high salt content. Due to the drought, the dam has not been filled with new water for a long time and the salinity is feared to have risen. Despite previous dry periods, however, no one has seen the water turn pink before.
The park, which consists of wetlands, is home to several endangered bird species. The pink water does not appear to harm the bird life, according to the staff.