Overview
- The Trump administration completed an expedited renovation that installed a new liner and dark blue coating on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and reported total costs near $14–16 million.
- Within days the pool developed a bright green algae bloom and chunks of the new coating began floating, and experts noted crews used hydrogen peroxide and nanobubble ozone systems to remove algae.
- Officials say six people were arrested and several cited for alleged vandalism, National Guard members and U.S. Park Police have been deployed, and the site now has temporary chain‑link fencing and new surveillance cameras.
- Interior officials announced the pool will be drained for ‘permanent repair’ around the Fourth of July and said replacement of the buried 12‑inch circulation pipes is planned for the fall.
- Preservation groups have sued under historic‑preservation law, environmental groups called for bird‑death investigations, and experts warn algae and coating failures could recur until the underlying piping and waterproofing are fully replaced.