Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Plagued by Algae Bloom
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Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Plagued by Algae Bloom
- The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, recently renovated at a cost exceeding $14 million, has been overtaken by a significant algae bloom, less than two weeks after its reopening on June 6, 2026.
- President Donald Trump has attributed the issues, which also include peeling paint, to vandalism, with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro confirming arrests and citations issued as of June 22, 2026.
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The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a prominent feature of the National Mall, is currently experiencing a substantial algae bloom that has turned its “American flag blue” surface a vivid green. This comes shortly after a renovation project, announced in April 2026, aimed to resurface the pool and address long-standing issues. The project, which cost over $14 million, was intended to beautify the capital ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday.
The pool, which reopened on June 6, 2026, quickly developed an algae problem, with satellite imagery analysis indicating algae levels spiked days after the renovation was completed. In addition to the algae, the newly applied blue coating has begun to peel.
President Trump has publicly blamed “vandals” for the problems, claiming they poured corrosive chemicals into the pool and slashed its surface. On June 22, 2026, he stated that multiple arrests had been made, and U.S. Park Police and National Guard members have been patrolling the area. However, media outlets have reported a lack of evidence to support the vandalism claims.
Experts suggest that warm weather, lingering algae, and nutrient-rich water likely contributed to the rapid bloom. The darker blue color of the new surface may also be contributing by absorbing more heat, which promotes algae growth. National Park Service workers