The City of Allen’s ponds will have a distinct blue hue to them throughout the summer.
During the warmer months of the year, Allen Parks and Recreation applies Blue Lagoon pond dye to all of the natural ponds that are maintained by the City of Allen in order to prevent pondweed and algae growth while also promoting fish safety.
The pond dye is non-toxic and completely safe for agricultural and irrigation purposes immediately after treatment, as well as humans, birds, pets, fish and wildlife. (Note: Swimming is not allowed in City of Allen ponds.)
Excessive sunlight can have a negative impact on water quality, so application of the dye increases pond shading, helping to prevent pondweed and algae growth by reducing light penetration while also beautifying the water by providing a rich blue color.
The dye also promotes fish safety in two ways: 1) Predators that fly above or lurk alongside the pond are not able to see the fish as easily, giving the fish time to dive out of harm’s way, and 2) oxygen levels in water are reduced as temperatures rise, so using the pond dye helps keep the water cooler, allowing the fish to breathe easier throughout the hot summer months.
Allen Parks and Recreation staff typically apply the dye on a monthly basis throughout the summer at a high enough concentration to mitigate the effects of excessive sunlight and heat. Rains can wash the dye out of ponds and as summer temperatures increase, staff have to immediately reapply dye to maintain the proper concentration levels. Due to recent heavy rains and nutrient rich water, pondweed and algae can start developing almost overnight, so application of the dye is important to aid in pondweed and algae growth reduction.
The ponds that are being treated with the dye are located at:
- Auburn Springs – Angel Parkway at Auburn Springs – 1 pond
- Bethany Lakes Park – 745 S. Allen Heights Dr. – 2 ponds
- Bethany Creek – 1315 Bethany Creek Blvd. – 1 pond
- Bethany Ridge Park – 1218 East Bethany Dr. – 1 pond
- Celebration Park – 701 Angel Pkwy. – 2 ponds
- Cumberland Crossing – 1532 Ponds Edge Dr. – 1 pond
- Greenville Heights – 1310 Shelborn Dr. – 1 pond
- Glendover Park – 1290 Scottsman Dr. – 1 pond
- Joe Farmer Recreation Center – 1201 E Bethany – 1 pond
- Raintree Park – 10 Parkside Cr. – 3 ponds
- Suncreek Park – 601 Alma Dr. – 1 pond
For questions and more information, please contact Allen Parks and Recreation at 214.509.4700.