It's not every day that you see red in the Arkansas River, but one viewer said she did, prompting questions and concerns.
It was also captured in images at the Arkansas Game and Fish Nature Center in Pine Bluff.
So, we reached out to the U of A Division of Agriculture extension to explain this unusual color on the surface of the water.
“The reddish-brown film that they're seeing is a plant that is widely distributed throughout the world. In some places, it is considered native," Urban Stormwater Agent John Pennington said.
Pennington said it’s an azolla plant, or red water fern.
“It’s considered to be a noxious weed and an invasive plant in Arkansas, and it grows so thickly that it's easy to notice,” he said.
The plant also grows fast, but the current and cold weather can inhibit its growth, so it may not stick around very long. Still, it raises concern about safety and whether it's considered a red tide.
“The plant they're seeing is not necessarily one to be concerned about. It’s not going to harm anybody, it’s not really going to hurt wildlife,” he said.
Pennington said this is not considered red tide, which is typically found in the ocean because it has to live in salt water.
While the red azolla fern is also considered to be a nuisance weed, there are things you can do to prevent a large algal bloom.
“Everyone should do their best to help keep soil and fertilizer on their lawns, and on their construction sites and on their farms. Soil carries fertilizer nutrients with it and these fertilizer nutrients can help algae bloom,” he said.
The plant also has the nickname "super plant" for its ability to remove pollutants like heavy metals from water, fix atmospheric nitrogen and serve as a livestock feed.
To learn more about water quality and aquatic plants, click here.