Challenges in Maintaining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has been struggling with algae growth, despite a significant renovation costing over $14 million. The iconic site, renovated during President Donald Trump’s tenure, aimed to present a pristine reflection pool with an ‘American flag blue’ bottom. However, the pool is currently experiencing a chartreuse discoloration due to an algal bloom.

The location’s maintenance is complicated by several factors, reminiscent of typical challenges faced by backyard pool owners, but on a much grander scale. The reflecting pool, larger than ten Olympic-sized pools, sources its water from the Tidal Basin, which is often murky. This setup makes maintaining clear water difficult. Algal issues have persisted for over a century, but these recent efforts were part of an initiative to beautify Washington in time for its 250th anniversary.

Efforts to keep the algae at bay involve an array of modern techniques. National Park Service teams and contractors used chemicals and ozone nanobubbles to mitigate the algae problem. This method is part of a broader cleanup strategy, akin to past efforts pre-dating Trump’s renovation.

The pool’s new dark paint has presented additional challenges. Cochise Wanzer II, president of the Pool Service Company in Arlington, Virginia, pointed out that the new paint colors have increased the pool’s temperature, further supporting algal growth. The maintenance team employed swimming pool vacuums to remove algae, revealing clean areas of blue paint as they worked.

The park service is using hydrogen peroxide, a spa and natural pool-friendly alternative to chlorine, claiming it has no adverse effects on marine life or the environment. As part of the cleaning process, workers have been seen deploying tubes for ozone nanobubble infusion and vacuuming the algae out of the pool.

Tourists, like Rick and Ariana Pettit from Las Vegas, observed the cleaning operation. Despite the ongoing challenges, visitors noted improvements. One contractor suggested a more drastic solution: thoroughly draining and cleaning the pool, then refilling it with treated freshwater.