Lincoln Reflecting Pool Drained 3rd Time as $16 Million Renovation Runs Past 2 Months
Updated
Updated · Forbes · Jul 10
Lincoln Reflecting Pool Drained 3rd Time as $16 Million Renovation Runs Past 2 Months
3 articles · Updated · Forbes · Jul 10
Summary
Friday’s partial draining marked the third time in as many months that crews pumped water from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, using equipment on the north side to send water into a nearby manhole.
Algae blooms and peeled sealant have repeatedly disrupted the project, with the water still turning green Friday morning and the work stretching far beyond the roughly two-week timeline Trump gave in April.
Sunday’s earlier draining followed the Fourth of July, when Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said crews needed to remove fireworks debris and repair alleged vandalism that the administration has blamed for delays.
More than $16 million is now the latest estimated cost of the makeover, up sharply from Trump’s initial $1.8 million estimate as the renovation has dragged on since late April.
Six people have been arrested over alleged vandalism, but little public evidence has been released; former Olympian David Hearn pleaded not guilty Thursday, calling the case a false and politicized narrative.