The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was supposed to gleam with a crisp, patriotic blue following a recent renovation — but nature had other plans. Instead of the “American flag blue” President Trump envisioned, the iconic Washington, D.C. landmark has turned a murky shade of green, thanks to a surge of algae growth.
The shallow pool, which sits in full sunlight for much of the day, creates nearly perfect conditions for algae to flourish during the warm summer months. Scientists and experts say the combination of still, sun-warmed water and abundant nutrients makes the pool a natural breeding ground for the microscopic organisms.
Making matters worse, experts suggest the recent renovation work on the pool may have actually accelerated the algae growth rather than helping to prevent it. National Park Service workers were spotted using a vacuum pump to scrub algae from the freshly repainted pool bottom in an effort to restore its appearance.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenge of maintaining one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks, where environmental factors can quickly undo cosmetic improvements — no matter how ambitious the vision behind them.
