IDEM Investigating What Caused Water at the Riverwalk in Jasper to Turn Blood Red

BY: DAVID SHEPHERD, NEWS DIRECTOR / PHOTO: JESS SCHNARR - FACEBOOK 

UPDATE:  Mystery solved! Chad Mundy with the City of Jasper has confirmed a red marker dye caused the red water. 

A maintenance crew at Meyer Distributing put the dye in an inlet to check the source of a leak in the basement of their building. 

Mundy says the dye is environmentally friendly and confirmed seeing fish swimming fine through the water last night.

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JASPER -- Investigators with IDEM are in Jasper today investigating what caused water at the Riverwalk to turn bright red.

The photos were captured and posted to social media last night.

Mayor Dean Vonderheide says a nearby drain may be to blame.  He adds it does not appear to be intentional.

Hundreds of you commented on the photos posted to our Facebook page.  Some guessed it was algae.  Others pointed to the book of Revelations for answers.

We will keep you updated as new information becomes available.