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Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Is Now Green: 4 Possible Reasons
Newsweek • • nation
Key Points:
- The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation, aimed at giving it a deeper "American flag blue" finish, has resulted in the water appearing green due to rapid algae growth shortly after refilling.
- The $14 million no-bid renovation, ordered by President Trump, resurfaced the pool with a dark blue coating intended to improve appearance and seal leaks, but this darker surface may increase water temperature and promote algae blooms.
- Algae growth in the pool is influenced by multiple factors including residual algae from construction, warmer temperatures from the darker coating, favorable weather conditions, and potential issues with water circulation and infrastructure.
- Experts explain that algae blooms are common in shallow, slow-moving water bodies like the reflecting pool, with chlorophyll in algae causing the green coloration that can develop rapidly under ideal conditions.
- Despite some social media speculation about sabotage, there is no evidence supporting claims of deliberate interference, and officials have not suggested foul play.
