Reflecting Pool Paint Shows Peeling and Algae After June 6 Reopening

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool reopened on June 6 after a renovation project that began in April and cost more than $16 million. The work included draining the pool and applying new blue paint intended to give the water an American-flag appearance. Less than two weeks later, sections of the new paint showed peeling and an algae bloom turned portions of the water green.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro told Fox News on Sunday that citations for vandalism have been issued. She said anyone found to have added substances that promoted algae growth could face more serious charges. Three-time U.S. Olympian David Hearn was arrested Friday after touching a strip of material at the bottom of the pool.

Hearn, 67, said the material appeared to have delaminated and denied removing or damaging any paint. He was released the same night and faces a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property.

The pool has experienced recurring algae problems since it opened. A $34 million renovation completed in 2012 under the Obama administration installed a filtration system and made the pool shallower, yet algae returned. An upgraded nanobubbler filtration system costing $1.7 million was installed during the latest project.

The Department of the Interior stated last week that the system killed algae that had been present at previous reopenings.

National Park Service crews began adding hydrogen peroxide to the water last week.