"Algae spread across the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool shortly after a multimillion-dollar renovation. The Interior Department says fixes are on the way."

"Fresh off a multimillion-dollar renovation ordered by President Donald Trump, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is now a sea of green.

The president had wanted a pool filled with clear water and a bottom painted “American Flag Blue,” the color of a commercial-grade swimming pool liner he had added to the granite pool to address leaks and spruce up the monument ahead of huge Independence Day celebrations this summer on the National Mall to commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday.

Instead, dark green clumps of algae sat Tuesday morning on a lighter green layer of algae that’s blanketed the water."

Kinnia Cheuk and Heather Richards report for E&E News June 16, 2026. [2]