Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Renovation Completed, Filling Set for Sunday

President Donald Trump said the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is complete and the basin will be filled with water no later than Sunday. Trump noted that workers finished painting the shallow basin a deep shade he calls "American flag blue" on Wednesday.

As of early Thursday, vehicles remained in the basin and no water was present. The administration placed the cost of the work at $1.5 million to $2 million. Records show at least $14.8 million worth of contracts has been awarded for the project.

Background on the Project Trump announced the work in April, saying he was inspired by complaints from a friend visiting from Germany who described the pool as dark and disgusting. The reflecting pool, more than 2,000 feet long, was originally built in the 1920s and sits between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

The basin previously held about 6.5 million gallons of water. A 2012 renovation installed a circulation and filtration system that draws river water from the nearby Tidal Basin instead of city drinking water.

" On Wednesday the administration notified the court that the work was complete, with the basin set to be filled by Sunday. A message seeking information from the Interior Department, which oversees the Park Service, was not immediately answered.