Dyeing the Chicago River Photo Gallery by Wei O'Connell at pbase.com

Dyeing the Chicago River

Chicago is famous for this annual event: dyeing the Chicago River green.

The tradition started in 1962, when city pollution-control workers used dyes to trace illegal sewage discharges and realized that the green dye might provide a unique way to celebrate the holiday (St. Patrick's Day). That year, they released 100 pounds of green vegetable dye into the river—enough to keep it green for a week!

Today, in order to minimize environmental damage, only forty pounds of dye are used.

New picture starting at the top. Thank you for visiting my gallery. Your comments are greatly appreciated.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!	Happy St. Patrick's Day!	Happy St. Patrick's Day!	Happy St. Patrick's Day!	Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River
Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River
Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River
Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River
Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River	Dyeing the Chicago River

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JB		17-Mar-2013 18:39
"Guest 23-Aug-2008 11:23 Well, it took awhile, but here you go! ;) https://www.google.com/search?q=the+white+house,+green+fountain&hl=en&client=safari&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=rg1GUcewKeTWyQGW4oDQAg&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=320&bih=416 "Guest 23-Aug-2008 11:23 Wow, I'd never heard that they did this! I absolutely love it and so want to see it myself! Why can't Washington do something so cool? I'm mostly Irish and yes, they certainly deserve support and a recognized day all for themselves, anyone that doesn't believe it should read their history. Go Chicago!"

AbdolNasser Dyeing.c.r		11-Dec-2012 05:13
hi, beautiful pictures, tanks

Tom LeRoy		27-Mar-2012 07:29
An amazing gallery and great documentary of an event that has Pros and Cons, as the comments show. In any case, Wei, you did a fantastic job of presenting your excellent work!BV!

julia		18-Mar-2012 23:58
terrible. who would insert anything into our waters. it can only be harmful. julia bacon

julia		17-Mar-2012 20:43
terrible. who would insert anything into our waters. it can only be harmful. julia bacon

Ashley		18-Mar-2010 01:53
I think making the river green is a very creative and festive thing to do!! I mean come on Care Bears being evil no way!

Lisa		17-Mar-2010 15:12
The Chicago River is dyed green with a vegetable dye. It is safe for the fish and for the environment! I think it is a really great tradition! Chicago is truly a beautiful city! As Dorothy so eloquently stated, "There's no place like home!"

Annie		17-Mar-2009 03:38
Chicago is not the only city to dye the river green. My home town, Fort Wayne, IN, has been doing that for years. Actually, we have three rivers here. The St. Mary's river is dyed green each year on St. Patrick's Day. The St. Mary's and the St. Joe rivers converge to form the Maumee River which flows northeast. Erin Go Braugh! Annie

Guest		23-Aug-2008 11:23
Wow, I'd never heard that they did this! I absolutely love it and so want to see it myself! Why can't Washington do something so cool? I'm mostly Irish and yes, they certainly deserve support and a recognized day all for themselves, anyone that doesn't believe it should read their history. Go Chicago!

Guest		18-Mar-2008 07:05
Actually, is an orange dye that is put in the water to make it turn green. GO CUBS !!

William		18-Mar-2008 04:28
It's not St. Patrick's day in Chicago without a Green River! Hey! Wasn't that the name of a midwest softdrink I used to love as a kid?

terlecks		18-Mar-2008 03:26
Why add dye? the river is stagnant and is naturally green

terlecks		18-Mar-2008 03:24
Why add dye? the river is stagnant and is naturally green

Guest		18-Mar-2008 03:11
Thank you for a taste of Chicago, I moved to Houston, Texas 8 years ago and miss my Chicago and green bagels.

Sherry Hoeftmann		18-Mar-2008 01:47
Thank you so MUCH! Born & raised in the Windy City...transplanted to Knoxville, TN. I miss the city so much. I was there for a moment, thanks to you and your photos!

Guest		18-Mar-2008 01:00
Born in Chicago....living in California. Love the green river!!! Once a Chicagoan always a Chicagoan!!!

Guest		18-Mar-2008 00:35
Amazing shots!

Guest		17-Mar-2008 23:10
born and raised in chicago - love the green river!!! It's a great tradition!! Chi-town rocks!

Cristy		17-Mar-2008 22:43
I love Carebears they WOULD NEVER do that!!! you just dont have anything to put on your website!

Donna B		17-Mar-2008 22:28
As a Chicago native living in Colorado, I miss that sight!! Who's Steve?

Guest		17-Mar-2008 22:16
Thankyou. Sue

Guest		17-Mar-2008 21:56
Go Chi Town! I moved out here from San Diego last October and I have to say there is no place like Chicago on the earth! It is the best place to be anytime of the year! -Clara

Chi Town Native		17-Mar-2008 21:39
I have never been Downtown during the actual dye job, but I've walked across the bridge to view the green water. It is amazing everytime I see it!! It is a beautiful green & everyone loves it from 8-80!! People stand on the bridge & take pictures of themselves with the green "backdrop".

Guest		17-Mar-2008 21:25
Chi-Town is fabulous, I love the pizza, night clubs and the folks. and yes, after reading the comments SHUT UP STEVE!

Dick Haase		17-Mar-2008 21:00
Happpy Birthday Patricia Cannon Did they do this just for you?? still think of you every St. Paddy's day, Dick H.

Guest in L.A		17-Mar-2008 20:50
Love the Irish...Love Chicago for doing this..Many thanks for photos, their GREAT

Song Poet		17-Mar-2008 20:44
I travel into Chicago on tour once or twice a year. This is the first year I have heard of this. Guess I am just ignorant. LOL. I would love to be there to see it! Looks great and sounds like a fun event!!!

Guest		17-Mar-2008 19:49
Unknown It looks very cute never thought it could have been accomplish

Guest		17-Mar-2008 19:19
I'm Irish, most of my relatives come from County Cork and Claire. I just found out about this from a friend, Brenda Johnson who now lives in Salem, OR and is orginally from Chicago! Great going Chicago, I love it! The comments are worried about the environment, do they really think you'd do something to harm it? Long live IRELAND!

Dayiesha		17-Mar-2008 18:59
That is so tight I love The CHI!

Deena Karson		17-Mar-2008 18:24
Just read some Irish history and you will agree these people deserve there own day. I an German, But I celebrate right along with the Irish. And if the people worried about the environment would just read the above comments it would all be explained to them. I give my toast to Rory Gallagher.

Marty		17-Mar-2008 15:52
Steve shut up.

MARTY		17-Mar-2008 15:50
SHUT UP STEVE

Deb		17-Mar-2008 14:59
I was born and raised in Illinois and have always wanted to see the Chicago River dyed green. Ok, now I have. Please keep doing it. It really is a pretty picture. guest

Jan Warner		17-Mar-2008 13:30
How long does it stay Green, I will be in Chicago toward end of the week from New Jersey for business. Chi-Town is awesome!

Guest		17-Mar-2008 13:17
All it is , is a green dye the plumbers use to locate sewage leaks in pipes, it is harmless, I know I live in chicago. peace

Horan		17-Mar-2008 10:45
I think it's really cool. We should do it other here in England for the river Thames. I read on another site how it was discovered (dyeing the river) and thought it pure genius!

Guest		04-Feb-2008 15:47
Great pictures!!!! I live in Chicago and look forward to this event every year!! St. Patrick's Day is one of the biggest celebrations our city has and dyeing the Chicago River green is a long time tradition; and it's been enviornmentaly safe for many years now - the dye lasts for only the day and isn't harmful to the fish or the river itself. If you ever have the chance to visit Chicago, this is one of the best times of the year to do it; although the weather can be a bit cold, that still doesn't take away from the great festivities and the parade the city has on St. Patrick's Day!

Steve		08-Jan-2008 00:34
Shows a bad attitude to the environment - as something to be used as a billboard for any festivity or commercial purpose. Isn't the river nice enough in itself? How many of the people seeing the river would drink it?

ebonyjayde2004		15-Oct-2007 22:23
Oh wow Blues what great pics!

Ben		14-Sep-2007 07:55
think of the poor fish

Cristy		27-Jun-2007 20:07
wow this looks really cool ! it looks awesome !!!(=

Guest		26-Mar-2007 11:27
Amazing gallery. Hard to believe and thanks for the explanations. V.

Kerry Tingley		25-Mar-2007 16:54
What a fun thing to experience- someday I'd like to see it!

Guest		25-Mar-2007 15:55
Wonderful coverage of the river being dyed green. Very good journalistic shots. Well done.

Marc Demoulin		24-Mar-2007 07:58
Interesting event!! Nicely done gallery. Voted. Marc

Guest		23-Mar-2007 09:18
beautiful gallery, thanks for let me making the trip too.

carol j. phipps		22-Mar-2007 01:33
Wonderful series.

1moremile		22-Mar-2007 00:08
Great photos. I'm green with envy. v.

Lee G		20-Mar-2007 16:28
River Art! I like it. Great job of capturing this unique event.

Cindi Smith		20-Mar-2007 03:00
This whole gallery is great! Even better than last year's! You have my vote!

Jen Bixler		20-Mar-2007 02:59
I remember this from a scene in the movie, The Fugitive. So cool and what a great new gallery.

Guest		19-Mar-2007 18:37
Been there - and it is absolutely awesome - what a way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Elvis		18-Mar-2007 19:09
"Looks cute and tourists love it, but I wonder, is this really ok for the environment?" I'm sure it's OK for the environment. They wouldn't just blatantly pollute a river with some kind of toxic substance once every year. I mean, come on.

Patricia		17-Mar-2007 23:49
Patricia in NY I have seen the Chicago River dyed green and its very festive. Happy St. Patricks Day one and all.

T. Clark		16-Mar-2007 19:11
I lived in Chicago as a child - left for Tucson, Arizona 50 years ago. Wished they did that way back then. Am Irish, and believe March 17 should be national holiday! Here in Tucson, the "A" on the mountain is suddenly painted green each year, as are some shamrocks in several street intersections. We don't have a river to dye! Love the photos!

Guest		16-Mar-2007 14:25
i love it its effin awesome

Enid Moreno		14-Mar-2007 18:22
what other river is dyed green?

G		11-Mar-2007 06:09
Looks cute and tourists love it, but I wonder, is this really ok for the environment?

Guest		07-Sep-2006 00:01
This is a cool piece of reportage...I have ever wondered how they did that...I hope none of those barrels of dye breaks up one year, before reaching the river...lol...! PK

John Cooper		02-Jun-2006 06:40
What a weird, incomprehensible thing to do. I love it.

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