The Lincoln Memorial's Reflecting Pool turned an unsightly shade of green just ahead of President Trump's Ultimate Fighting Championship birthday celebration, raising questions about what happened to equipment that was supposed to prevent exactly that problem.
Large "nanobubbler" machines, designed to keep the water oxygenated and algae-free, were removed from the site before the promotional event. Those machines are critical to maintaining the pool's clarity, and their absence left the iconic waterway looking murky and discolored.
The timing raised eyebrows among those familiar with the pool's maintenance needs. The nanobubblers work by injecting tiny air bubbles into the water, which prevents the buildup of algae that turns the pool green. Without them running, conditions deteriorate quickly, particularly during warmer months when algae thrives.
It remains unclear exactly why the equipment was moved or whether it was reinstalled after the event concluded. The decision to remove the machines ahead of what was meant to be a high-profile celebration struck some observers as a logistical oversight in what appeared to be a hastily planned operation.
Park Service and event organizers have not publicly detailed the reasoning behind the move or addressed the resulting discoloration of the Reflecting Pool. The incident underscores the challenges of coordinating large-scale events on the National Mall, where infrastructure decisions can have visible consequences for one of Washington's most photographed landmarks.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Nothing says 'grand celebration' quite like leaving the Reflecting Pool looking like a swamp."
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