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Algae returns to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

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Just days after reopening following a $14.2 million renovation, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., is once again battling a familiar problem: algae.

The restoration project, ordered by President Donald Trump as part of preparations for the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration, included draining, resurfacing, and repainting the iconic pool in what administration officials described as an “American flag blue” color.

However, warm weather has contributed to a new algae bloom that has turned portions of the water green, prompting cleanup efforts by National Park Service crews.

Workers were seen skimming algae from the surface this week and adding hydrogen peroxide to the water in an effort to reduce the growth. Federal officials also said a new water treatment system using so-called nanobubbler technology has been deployed to help combat the problem.

The Reflecting Pool, located between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, is one of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks. It was also the site of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech during the 1963 March on Washington.

The renovation project drew attention for both its cost and the administration’s goal of changing the water’s appearance. The work was completed under a no-bid contract awarded to a Virginia-based coatings company.

Administration officials have defended the project, arguing that previous efforts to address algae and maintenance issues had failed to provide a lasting solution. They contend the newly installed treatment system will eventually eliminate the recurring algae blooms that have affected the pool for decades.

The National Park Service has dealt with algae outbreaks at the Reflecting Pool for many years. Because the shallow basin is exposed to sunlight and warm temperatures, algae growth can occur rapidly during the summer months.

Trump has described the renovation as a long-term investment designed to improve the appearance of one of the nation’s most visited memorials. While initial estimates placed the project’s cost at less than $2 million, the final price grew to more than $14 million.

Source: The Guardian

  • Maybe they need to treat it with swimming pool chemicals assuming their are no plants, turtles or fish in it.

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