# @kqed on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DHjWBJzttWb
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/27656244-kqed-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/ae1646f53c.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-03-23T18:40:19.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** KQED (@KQED) — https://gondola.cc/KQED

## Caption

Golden Gate Park is one of those magical places where it’s possible to stumble upon something new, even after visiting hundreds of times. That’s the case for Rainbow Falls, found along John F Kennedy Promenade, just east of Crossover Drive.

The spot where the falls sit today used to be a small quarry, used to supply stone for a number of park projects. Many of the early roads in the park were made with stone from here. Later, it became a public dumping ground, so neighbors called on the city to build something beautiful.

Overseen by the superintendent at the time, John McLaren, the falls opened in 1930 with a spectacular evening dedication that featured a multi-hued light display shining on the waterfall. That’s how the falls got their name — Rainbow Falls. 

Bay Curious listener Persie Nakonechny has definitely noticed this waterfall, but mostly because there’s something not quite right about it.

“The water at Rainbow Falls and the creek that runs from it into Lloyd Lake is sometimes an alarming shade of green,” Nakonechny said. “I’m not sure if it’s algae or an attempt to stop people from being tempted to drink it or something else.”

🔗 What’s going on with the almost fluorescent green hue the water takes on sometimes? Find out with #BayCurious - link in our bio.

Source: "Why Is the Water at Golden Gate Park’s Rainbow Falls Bright Green?"
✍🏼: Chris Hambrick and Katrina Schwartz
📸: wopwopdoowop/Reddit, Katrina Schwartz/KQED, OpenSFHistory/wnp37.01750

## Stats

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- **Likes:** 702
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- **Comments:** 8

## Tags

baycurious

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