Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool remains green after costly fixes
Despite a multi-million dollar renovation, visitors react when the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool looks green instead of blue.
President Donald Trump defended his administration’s beautification record in Washington, D.C., despite an algae bloom in the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool.
In a June 19 post on Truth Social, the president blamed vandalism for the troubles that followed the pool’s $16 million renovation.
“We have cleaned, renovated, and beautified 45 monuments and monuments, 28 statues, and 22 fountains in Washington, D.C. Things are much better in our capital,” the Truth Social post said. “However, the beautiful reflecting pool between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial is experiencing serious problems due to vandalism.”
“Just like three days ago they destroyed the lawn outside the pool, they did everything possible to damage the inside surface that had just been installed,” Trump added. “No different than the chemicals used on the National Mall, they used similar ones on the reflecting pools to try to destroy and disparage our beautiful work.”
Trump’s post said the algae was “75% gone and conditions will soon fully recover. Fortunately, the areas that were destroyed are only minor areas of damage and will be repaired early next week.”
Algae blooms are not new
President Trump acknowledged that law enforcement is investigating.
However, historical records indicate that algae has been a recurring problem in the pool, probably for decades during the pool’s existence. USA TODAY previously reported that the pool underwent a $34 million renovation in 2012, and about a week after it filled, the water turned into a “sea of disgusting algae.” At the end closest to the World War II Memorial, workers could be seen skimming the surface of the pool.
Algae blooms have plagued “every pool that has reopened since 1922,” according to a statement provided to USA TODAY by the Interior Department.
Algae blooms can occur naturally
If you’ve ever tried to maintain a pool during a hot, rainy summer, you may empathize with the National Park Service and the president when it comes to algae.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both warm water and sunlight can cause rapid algae growth. Flowers began blooming at the Lincoln Memorial pool by June 11th.
Temperatures in the Washington, D.C., area soared to 92 degrees on June 10, the second time this month, according to National Weather Service records. By June 12, high temperatures reached 100 degrees.
Additionally, nearly a tenth of an inch of rain fell on June 10th and June 12th. Both days are known to cause algae blooms in pools and ponds.
The nutrients that feed the bloom can be blown in when it rains or carried in through particles washed off from pavement, the CDC said.
Dinah Boyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, covers climate change, weather, the environment and other news. Contact dpulver@usatoday.com or @dinahvp on Bluesky or dinahvp.77 on X or Signal.
