Washington Reflecting Pool Turns Green After $15 Million Renovation

A $14.8‑$16 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, overseen by the Trump administration, added an “American‑flag‑blue” coating intended to eliminate long‑standing algae problems. Within days of refilling the pool in early June, the water turned bright green again, visible from aerial photos. Park Service crews responded by skimming algae, deploying nanobubble ozone technology, and dumping concentrated hydrogen peroxide into the water in an effort to restore the intended blue hue.

Officials framed the bloom as a “normal startup process,” while critics noted that the resurfacing did not address underlying structural leaks and the shallow, sun‑exposed design that historically fosters algae growth. The episode sparked online jokes and debate over the effectiveness and safety of the chemical treatment.