The Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., has encountered a series of challenges following a recent renovation effort led by the Trump administration. Completed nearly two weeks ago ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary, the resealing and repainting project has faced problems including uneven paint application, algal blooms, and peeling of the new coating.

The pool, which stretches between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, initially showed signs of algae growth that turned its water acid green, an issue compounded by recent heat and humidity. The Interior Department announced via social media last week that workers had “killed the algae,” sharing images of a deep blue pool surface reflecting the Washington Monument, an apparent response to expert criticism that the underlying issues had not been fully addressed. However, by Friday, visitors and National Park Service staff noted murky waters stained with floating pockets of algae despite cleaning efforts.

Photographs and observations revealed large sections of the new blue coating detaching from the basin, exposing original concrete beneath. One gap described was roughly the size of a park bench, with paint chunks visibly flapping in the water. Passersby like Alex Hobe, a food delivery person, expressed disappointment, calling the renovation a “complete failure” while also sympathizing with workers who were seen scrubbing the basin while standing knee-deep in algae-laden water.

On Friday evening, former President Donald Trump attributed some of the problems to “vandalism” and asserted that approximately 75% of the algae had been removed, with repairs to the damaged areas anticipated early the following week. Authorities arrested David C. Hearn, a 67-year-old three-time Olympic canoeist, on charges of damaging government property. Hearn denied causing harm, stating he only touched floating paint chips out of curiosity.

The Reflecting Pool has long suffered from structural issues such as leaky and broken pipes, which often disconnect it from its filtration system. These mechanical problems were not addressed during the recent renovation. Instead, temporary measures like adding hydrogen peroxide to control algae growth were employed. On site, workers operated water pumps and filtration systems amid hoses channeling discolored water away toward storm drains.

Reports indicate a no-bid contract was awarded earlier this year to a company with ties to a Trump supporter to install a water-purification system at the pool. While many visitors seemed more interested in the pool’s current condition than the historic monuments reflected in its waters, some, like Trey Quealy from West Virginia, expressed understanding of the difficulties involved in executing such a complex maintenance effort. Quealy noted that before the renovation, he had never questioned the pool’s appearance, suggesting the project may have complicated an environment that was previously acceptable to many visitors.