Challenges with Reflecting Pool’s Restoration

As crews from the National Park Service work to remove algae that has turned the water bright green, a new issue has emerged: the “American flag blue” coating is peeling off.

The Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial is experiencing multiple setbacks. Initially, the new paint job looked uneven. Then, the water turned an acid green due to an algae bloom. Now, large sections of the coating are detaching from the basin, resulting in patches of blue alongside areas of pea green, creating a dark, murky appearance.

President Trump’s initiative to reseal and paint the century-old pool between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial concluded nearly two weeks ago. It was scheduled for completion before the nation’s 250th birthday, as required. However, the project has turned into a challenge for the administration.

The Interior Department announced on social media that algae had been eradicated, accelerated by heat and humidity. They claimed the water was now “crystal clear,” sharing images of the Washington Monument reflected in deep blue water. This seemed to counter experts’ criticisms, who argue that the pool’s water will only appear blue after addressing underlying issues ignored by previous administrations.

However, on Friday afternoon, clumps of algae still stained the murky water, even in areas where National Park Service staff had cleaned the bright green blooms from the basin’s bottom. The new coating was missing from at least two sizable sections, revealing the original concrete basin beneath.

Alex Hobe, 52, was at the pool’s edge, holding a small chip of paint. He was making food deliveries nearby and decided to check the pool renovations. Noticing the chip floating, he retrieved it. The chip was semitransparent and rough.