Cleanup crews began treating the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Tuesday after an algae bloom turned the water green [1, 2].
The incident highlights potential failures in the maintenance and chemical balance of the landmark following a costly restoration project. The pool serves as a primary visual symbol of the National Mall, and its current state disrupts the aesthetic of the historic site.
Officials said warm weather combined with nutrient-rich water fueled the growth of the algae [3]. The bloom occurred shortly after a recent renovation of the pool. While the exact cost of the project varies by report, the Baltimore Sun said the renovation cost $14 million [2], while MSN said the figure was $14.2 million [4].
Crews are currently working to treat the water to remove the green discoloration. The bloom was aided by lingering algae that remained in the system despite the multi-million-dollar revamp [3].
Reports indicate that the Trump administration spent millions of dollars on the renovation [5]. The project was intended to ensure the pool remained a clear, blue reflection of the surrounding monuments, but the current bloom has countered those efforts.
The National Mall remains open to the public while the cleanup continues. The use of chemical treatments is intended to neutralize the algae, and restore the water's clarity.
“Algae has turned the water of the Reflecting Pool green, prompting cleanup crews to treat the water.”
The recurrence of algae immediately following a $14 million to $14.2 million renovation suggests that the structural repairs did not resolve the underlying biological or chemical vulnerabilities of the pool. This indicates a struggle to balance the pool's stagnant water volume with the environmental pressures of Washington, D.C. summers.
