The National Park Service recently drained the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool for maintenance, revealing that the pool’s blue liner has faded to a gray color. The pool is typically drained twice a year for cleaning and repair work to address sediment buildup and maintain the structure.
The liner was installed during a 2017 renovation project. At the time, President Donald Trump described the intended color as "American flag blue," suggesting it would provide a distinct aesthetic for the national monument. Recent images and reports from the site show that the submerged material no longer retains that original blue hue.
National Park Service officials have not yet released a statement regarding the longevity of the liner or whether the fading will impact future maintenance plans. The pool remains a central feature of the National Mall and is scheduled to be refilled following the completion of the current cleaning cycle.