Trump Showcases 6.75 Million-Gallon Reflecting Pool, Seeks Vandalism Suspect

Q: Could the new 'American flag blue' coating, meant to beautify the pool, actually be making the algae problem worse?

Yes, it could be contributing, though it is unlikely to be the only or main cause. Experts cited in reporting say the new darker “American flag blue” polyurea lining may absorb more sunlight than a lighter surface, warming the shallow water and creating conditions that favor faster algae growth. Aquatic ecology specialists also noted that renovation work itself may have disturbed sediment and nutrients, which can help trigger blooms. That said, the Reflecting Pool’s algae problem long predates this coating. The pool has struggled with algae for decades because it is shallow, exposed to strong summer sun, and vulnerable to nutrient buildup, warm temperatures, leaks, and aging infrastructure. Recent reporting also says the latest renovation focused mainly on sealing joints and reducing water loss, not fully fixing leaky underground pipes or other root causes. The administration’s nanobubbler system appears to have improved water clarity quickly by killing or suppressing algae, and officials say the pool is now visibly clearer. But experts caution that this kind of treatment can be a short-term corrective measure if the underlying drivers of algae growth remain in place. So the fairest reading is that the blue coating may be making conditions somewhat more algae-friendly by increasing heat absorption, but the recurring algae problem is broader and structural. The color choice alone does not explain it.

2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 5

Trump posted new photos of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool looking "crystal clear" and circulated a U.S. Park Police wanted notice tied to a destruction-of-government-property investigation.
Interior said advanced nanobubbler technology killed the algae that had repeatedly clouded the pool after past reopenings, while National Park Service crews are vacuuming dead algae from the bottom.
Doug Burgum said seven people have already been arrested in a broader vandalism pattern at the National Mall, and damage to the pool includes multiple gashes totaling 350 feet.
Burgum said repairs may require only a partial drain rather than emptying the full pool, potentially speeding restoration as officials prepare to prosecute vandalism cases.