If you noticed the Presumpscot River running red this week, don’t be alarmed.

Starting Tuesday, scientists and engineers from Environmental Protection Agency’s New England Regional Laboratory and staff from Maine Department of Environmental Protection have been conducting a dye tracing study on the Presumpscot River.

The purpose of the study is to track the rate of flow and dispersion of water. The study area includes the Presumpscot River from the Gorham border, through Westbrook Center and to the tidal waters in Portland.

The DEP will use dye study data as well as water quality data, also being collected this week, for modeling the what’s called the Total Maximum Daily Load of the Presumpscot River.

U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) will also be conducting flow measurements at four stations along the Presumpscot River in support of this project.

The dye was scheduled to be released near the River Meadow Golf Club Tuesday morning and is not harmful to people or the ecosystem.