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Residual Algae Appears in Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Just Days After Trump Administration Touts Renovations
WASHINGTON — Visible algae has already begun forming along the edge of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, arriving just one day after the reservoir was refilled following an extensive federal renovation project. The sudden presence of the organic bloom has drawn scrutiny to the iconic landmark, which the Trump administration has spent recent days heavily promoting as a hallmark of its infrastructure achievements.
While filming at the site on Wednesday, news crews captured video of a maintenance worker actively clearing algae deposits from the bottom of the recently filled pool. In response to inquiries, the Department of the Interior minimized the issue, characterizing the bloom as residual algae that naturally occurs when restarting operations at the reservoir.
Kate Martin, the communications director for the Interior Department, explained in an official statement that the material originated from water supply lines that sat completely dormant for eight weeks during the construction phase. Martin emphasized that the buildup is a standard part of the initial startup process and noted that crews are actively removing the visible deposits. She added that a newly installed, state-of-the-art ozone nanobubbler filtration system will systematically maintain the pool and keep it entirely free of algae moving forward.
The administration has used the project to draw sharp political contrasts. In her statement, Martin praised President Donald J. Trump as an expert builder who fixed the reservoir permanently, contrasting the work with what she described as a failed and extremely costly repair attempt by the Obama-Biden administration. According to federal contract summaries, the previous administration spent 35.3 million dollars on reflecting pool renovations.
President Trump has frequently touted the multi-million-dollar project during recent public appearances, including an address to farmers in Wisconsin and multiple events in the Oval Office. The president previously criticized the condition of the landmark under past administrations, describing it as feces-infested, leaky, and heavily degraded.
The ultimate price tag of the current project has steadily climbed over time. While the president initially stated the renovations would cost between 1.8 million and 3 million dollars, official contract figures rose to 13.1 million dollars before settling at 14.2 million dollars. President Trump recently offices indicated to reporters that ongoing exterior updates could eventually bring the total expenditure close to 20 million dollars.
Local residents and tourists gathered around the National Mall on Wednesday offered varying perspectives on the updates, which include a fresh coat of American flag blue paint along the pool's floor. Some visitors expressed surprise and relief that the hue appeared subtle and reflected the sky beautifully rather than resembling a bright swimming pool. Other locals remained skeptical of the high cost, arguing that millions of dollars in federal funding would be better spent addressing regional homelessness or noting that the pool looks largely unchanged despite the lengthy closure.
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By: NBC Palm Springs
June 10, 2026
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