Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool remains green after costly fix
Despite a multi-million dollar renovation, visitors react when the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool looks green instead of blue.
Aerial photos taken by passengers on a plane descending into Washington, D.C., this week showed several renovations underway across the city.
Photos taken on June 16 show the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial covered in algae, the South Lawn of the White House damaged after the UFC Freedom 250 fight, and a covering on the National Mall with someone writing “8647” on it. The latter sparked an investigation by the U.S. Park Police.
The Ministry of Interior completed work on the reflecting pool earlier this month. But the renovations left the pool an algae-green color, a significantly less desirable color than the “Stars and Stripes Blue” chosen by President Donald Trump ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
View aerial photos
The Department of the Interior is working to address the algae situation. On June 17, workers were seen pouring hydrogen peroxide onto the landmark to reduce algae. As of Wednesday, parts of the pool remained green.
Meanwhile, on the South Lawn, the White House announced on June 16 that Scotts Miracle-Gro and the National Park Service will work to restore the turf after the June 14 UFC fight. The White House said the company has committed $1 million to the project.
USA TODAY reached out to the National Park Service for additional information about the restoration of the National Mall following the discoloration and violent political messages.
Contributed by Bart Jansen/ USA TODAY
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Please contact mdelrey@usatoday.com.
