Strawberry Creek on UC Berkeley campus discolored after dye spill

Strawberry Creek on the campus of the University of California – Berkeley turned orange after a food-grade dye accidentally spilled into it, according to a release from the university. Officials believe the dye washed into a storm drain after being used by a student group.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife was notified as a result. But officials decided to let the stream clear up naturally after considering the nontoxic nature of the dye.

The spill occurred in the morning on May 4. By afternoon that day, the source of the dye had been stopped and the orange color was diminishing.