The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. A prominent feature of Washington, D.C., has once again become the subject of public attention after turning green due to an unexpected algae bloom. This happened just weeks after President Donald Trump oversaw a multi-million-dollar renovation that included painting the pool’s neutral grey bottom in what he described as ‘American flag blue.’

Algae Bloom Expected, Scientists Say

Experts say the green hue is not unusual in this context. Steve Goodale, a Canadian swimming pool specialist known as ‘Swimming Pool Steve,’ explained that such an event is referred to as ‘New Pond Syndrome.’ He noted that it is a common occurrence when a natural, clear body of water in an open-air environment is newly filled or refilled. The process took longer in this case due to the pool’s large size—2,030 feet long with a surface area of approximately 338,000 square feet.

Rosalina Stancheva Christova, a professor of aquatic ecology at George Mason University, confirmed that the algae belongs to the genus Desmodesmus, which is common in the region and not toxic or harmful. ‘It is growing in excessive amounts,’ she said, but it is a natural occurrence.

Rent-a-Pool: Trump’s Vision and the Cost

The $14 million renovation project was managed by the Department of the Interior, with Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum touting its success. The project involved draining the pool, repainting its bottom, and installing a new water filtration system. Despite the Trump administration’s claims of success, the blue color is no longer visible, according to reports from the scene two weeks after the project was completed.

According to RP Online, park workers have been manually removing algae using hands and nets. The pool, a man-made water feature located directly next to the Lincoln Memorial, is now being managed with a new water treatment system designed to keep it algae-free in the future.

Public and Environmental Reactions

While Trump and his administration praised the renovation, many observers noted that the results were subtle. The algae bloom has drawn attention to the challenges of maintaining large open-water features in urban environments, especially during warmer months when algae growth is more common.

Interestingly, the green water has not disturbed local wildlife, with a duck and her ducklings reportedly unaffected by the change. The pool is a popular site for visitors, and the algae issue has sparked both scientific and public interest in the maintenance of such historic landmarks.