Washington, D.C
Red white and green? DC’s Reflecting Pool may not be blue by July 4th
Algae grows in National Mall reflecting pool after revamp
Algae appears in the National Mall reflecting pool after a costly blue renovation ahead of America’s 250th, drawing mixed reactions from visitors.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has become overrun with algae just days after the landmark underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation, leaving visitors wondering if it will be cleared in time for 4th of July celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary.
Photos taken over the weekend show National Park Service employees working to clear algae from the pool, which had turned the water green. The pool’s basin had been painted “American Flag Blue,” a dark navy, ahead of Independence Day. The pool in Washington, DC, measures about 2,000 feet in length and 160 feet in width.
The renovation began in April and was completed earlier this month. According to The New York Times, the pool repairs cost a whopping $13.1 million.
In a previous statement to USA TODAY, the Department of the Interior said the new color would improve the pool’s reflective properties compared to the old gray concrete, which had collected algae and turned “a slimy green.”
An environmental expert tells USA TODAY the green could linger for several months. Here’s what we know.
Expert: July temperatures could be bad news for Reflecting Pool
There are doubts about whether the Reflecting Pool will return to its glistening blue color ahead of the holiday.
Hans Paerl, Research Professor of Marine and Environmental Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told USA TODAY on Monday, June 15 the pool may still be impacted by algae and appear green by the semiquincentennial.
“The Fourth of July is probably the worst time of year because that’s when the temperature is highest,” he said. “It’s Mother Nature that’s really running the show.”
Algae thrives in hot weather but dissipates in the winter months, he explained.
DC is notoriously hot and humid in the summer months. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told USA TODAY the summer forecast this year is expected to be above normal. In July, the region will experience several days in the upper 80s and 90s.
Also, the region is surrounded by numerous sources of humidity and moisture, including the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the Potomac River.
To eliminate the algae, the pool would need to be drained, Paerl said. The water would then require treatment before the pool could be refilled. However, even after treatment, the water may still contain nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus that promote algae growth. While these nutrients can be reduced, they cannot be removed to levels low enough to completely prevent algae from returning.
Though it’s possible to treat the water with chemicals like chlorine, Paerl said the chemicals could impact animals like ducks drinking water from the pool.
Additionally, such treatments are costly.
“The treatment might be worse than the problem,” he said, noting he would recommend officials “wait it out” until the cooler months after September.
“You learn to appreciate the color a little bit more,” he added.
USA TODAY reached out to the National Park Service and the Interior Department for comment. NPS had previously said it would collect algae and remove it from the pool.
Why was the Reflecting Pool renovated?
According to previous USA TODAY reporting, President Donald Trump announced a plan to revamp the Reflecting Pool in April. He said the pool had been the subject of complaints due to its leaking foundation and filthiness.
He told reporters that contractors would sandblast, caulk and resurface the pool basin. The pool is part of a city-wide initiative to spruce up landmarks ahead of the Fourth of July.
Before the concrete bottom, the pool’s basin was made of black asphalt. At points, the water had been dyed black to improve the reflection. Before renovations, the pool had leaked 16 million gallons of water a year, the National Park Service said.
President Donald Trump selected Atlantic Industrial Coatings to perform the renovations. Trump said he’d chosen the company because it had done work at his Sterling, Virginia golf club.
He’s continued to boast about the updated landmark.
In a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump announced a Fourth of July rally to take place on the National Mall “with the backdrop of the Lincoln Memorial and surrounding the beautifully new Reflecting Pool.”
What did the NPS previously do about the water?
The National Park Service typically takes several measures to prevent algae growth and maintain water quality in the Reflecting Pool. A 2009 report states the agency performs water treatment, debris removal and pool cleaning.
The Reflecting Pool is filled with potable municipal water. DC Water and Sewer Authority treats the water with chloramine, a longer-lasting disinfecting compound than chlorine that prevents contamination. The water does not have long-lasting disinfection properties once placed in the Reflecting Pool.
Moreover, NPS also treats the Reflecting Pool with a proprietary algaecide. Still, algae growth has continued to be a consistent problem throughout the years. According to the report, the agency previously considered various methods to combat algae growth. One of the methods involved using small devices the size of a soda can to emit a sound frequency that would disrupt blooms.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was built between 1920 and 1923.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com.
Given our current digital landscape, you could be forgiven for yearning for a little nostalgia for years past and to wax poetic about the most memorable culinary themes and trends of the eras behind us. To bring your wistful memories to life, we’ve gathered a list of the restaurants in D.C. that are conceptualized around historic eras, places where you can immerse yourself in another era for a moment in time — or for the length of dinner.
We have a former tea room from the 1920s that now boasts a booming brunch, a nautical themed bar celebrating Alexandria’s place in history as a port city in the 1800s, and a spot that once served as a central location for civil rights activists to meet and eat. Use our guide to reminisce about 1950’s diner fare or find comfort in the enduring Italian American classic that is spaghetti-and-meatballs. What a time to be alive.
Washington, D.C
Weather Alert: Severe thunderstorm watch for DC area, high impact for outdoor venues
WASHINGTON, D.C. (7News) — A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of the Washington, D.C. area as conditions become more favorable for strong to severe thunderstorms through this evening. Anyone taking part in outdoor events or activities through the evening should have a quick evacuation and shelter plan in place before storms arrive. Some storms could produce wind gusts up to 70 mph, frequent lightning, torrential downpours, and rapidly changing conditions.
The setup includes increasing heat and humidity, a cold front approaching from the west, and stronger winds aloft moving into the region. That combination will help storms develop and organize as they move across the area. For the D.C. metro area, the greatest storm threat is expected through 10 p.m., with an isolated storm or a few showers lingering closer to midnight.
Damaging wind gusts are the main concern. A few storms may be strong enough to bring down trees, temporary structures and power lines, leading to scattered power outages. Hail is also possible in a few storms. While the tornado threat is low, it is not zero, so any tornado warning should be taken seriously.
The Storm Prediction Center has the area under a Slight Risk (Level 2 out of 5) for severe thunderstorms.
Watch vs. Warning
A watch means conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop. It is a heads-up to pay attention and be ready; a warning means severe weather is happening or about to happen. That is when you need to take action.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch vs. Warning
A severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are favorable for storms that could produce damaging wind gusts of 58 mph or higher and/or hail at least 1 inch in diameter, while a severe thunderstorm warning means a severe storm is happening or has been detected by radar. If a warning is issued for your location, move indoors immediately and stay away from windows.
Tornado Watch vs. Warning
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. It does not mean a tornado is happening. Take immediate action when a tornado warning is issued, as it means a tornado has been spotted or indicated by radar.
DC Weather: Severe storms possible ahead of UFC Freedom 250
The D.C. region is on weather alert as heat and humidity return ahead of a cold front that could spark strong to severe storms later in the day. FOX 5’s Glenn Talbert breaks down the timing, what to expect and why people should stay aware of watches, warnings and advisories, especially with UFC Freedom 250 set for Sunday night at the White House.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The D.C. region is on weather alert as heat, humidity and an approaching cold front could bring strong storms later in the day, potentially affecting evening plans for fans heading out to watch UFC Freedom 250.
What we know:
FOX 5 meteorologist Glenn Talbert said a cold front will interact with a warm, humid air mass over the region, creating the potential for strong storms later today.
The day is starting warm, with temperatures in the 70s across parts of the region and winds from the south-southwest.
The main storm threat is expected later in the day, especially during the late afternoon and evening hours.
Storm threat
Some storms could become severe, according to the FOX 5 forecast.
The strongest storms could bring heavy rain, gusty winds and dangerous lightning.
Talbert said the timing remains somewhat uncertain and will depend on how quickly the front moves through the region.
UFC Freedom 250 weekend plans
Anyone heading to UFC Freedom 250 events in D.C. should keep a close eye on the forecast before leaving home.
Storm timing remains uncertain, but the late afternoon and evening hours are the main concern. Fans should allow extra time, check for weather alerts and be ready to move indoors quickly if storms develop.
UFC White House Octagon tour offers first look at setup
What’s next:
The FOX 5 Weather Team will continue tracking the front and any storms that develop.
The Source: This article was written using information from the FOX 5 weather forecast.
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