parks
After multi-million dollar renovation, National Mall Reflecting Pool awash in algae... and controversy
By Jacob Gardenswartz at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· June 21, 2026
· 1 min read
As the nation prepares for a red, white and blue July 4 celebration, the White House is responding to a problem of a different hue: a verdant Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool rife with algae.At Trumps urging, federal officials this spring undertook a renovation project aimed at beautifying the hi...
Key takeaway At Trumps urging, federal officials this spring undertook a renovation project aimed at beautifying the hi...
Why this matters in The Nashville
Nashville residents planning to visit the nation's capital may be disappointed to find the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool marred by algae. As a city that values its own green spaces and waterways, Nashville can appreciate the challenges of maintaining large public pools and the importance of getting renovations right. The Reflecting Pool's problems serve as a reminder that even high-profile projects can go awry, and that careful planning and contracting are crucial to success. Nashville's own experiences with flood management and stormwater runoff may offer some lessons for the nation's capital as it seeks to address the Reflecting Pool's issues. Meanwhile, local residents who have visited the pool in the past may be watching with interest to see how the situation is resolved, and whether the White House's efforts to beautify the pool will ultimately be successful.
About this story
Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: June 21, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? As the nation prepares for a red, white and blue July 4 celebration, the White House is responding to a problem of a different hue: a verdant Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool rife with algae.At Trumps urging, federal officials this spring undertook a renovation project aimed at beautifying the hi...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 21, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jacob Gardenswartz at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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