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River Arve has turned black!

featured in News & reviews Author Ellie Mahoney, Chamonix Editor Updated

Anyone who has seen the river Arve recently will certainly not be tempted to dip a toe as into its chilly depths. A combination of recent heavy rain showers and the snow melt has made the Arve into a raging torrent through the centre of town……..only the water is completely black! Not the result of an oil spill or pollution but instead the dramatic colour change stemmed from up near the source. The river has gathered fine particles of slate from an old quarry on the Posette mountain in Le Tour. The bizarre phenomenon should not last long before returning to a slightly more inviting colour!

Photo credit: Le Dauphine