Explore the environmental impact of dyeing the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day, balancing tradition with ecological ...

St. Patrick’s Day weekend celebrations are officially here, with an iconic Chicago tradition kicking off festivities Saturday morning as the Chicago River was dyed green. Beginning shortly after 10 a.

In 1962, Chicago city workers dumped 100 pounds of dye into the river flowing through downtown Chicago. It left the river emerald green for an entire week and kick-started an annual tradition.

According to the story, the dye used to detect leaks in the sewer system along the Chicago River turned the water green, and the idea was born to dye the river green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

There are only a handful of days before massive crowds donned in shamrocks, beads and green top hats descend upon downtown Chicago to celebrate the luck of the Irish. From the river dyeing to the ...