Trump Admin Compares Reflecting Pool To Iran
After years of algae problems and millions in taxpayer-funded repairs, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is finally looking the way Americans expect it to look.
On Thursday, the Department of the Interior announced major progress in restoring the iconic Washington, D.C., landmark, while taking a jab at Iran’s military in the process.
In a post on X, department officials said new nanobubble technology successfully eliminated the algae that has repeatedly plagued the Reflecting Pool following renovation projects for decades.
The department pointed out that algae outbreaks have occurred after nearly every major reopening of the Reflecting Pool, including after a highly publicized restoration completed during the Obama administration.
Officials said the water is now clear enough for visitors to once again enjoy one of America’s most recognizable monuments as it was intended to be seen.
“The water in the Reflecting Pool is now remarkably clear,” the department stated, adding that National Park Service personnel are in the process of clearing away algae that sank to the bottom following the treatment process.
The agency then drew a comparison that quickly caught attention online.
Officials joked that the algae resting on the bottom of the pool looked similar to the Iranian Navy vessels destroyed during recent military operations in the Persian Gulf.
The remark comes after U.S. and Israeli forces inflicted heavy losses on Iranian military assets during the conflict earlier this year. According to U.S. Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper, more than 60 Iranian vessels were struck during the campaign.
A $13 Million Project Faces Early Problems
The Reflecting Pool’s latest algae battle began shortly after a renovation project costing taxpayers more than $13 million was completed.
Within days of reopening, the water turned green due to a large algae bloom, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the restoration effort.
Interior Department officials now say the issue is largely resolved.
Crews are completing what the agency describes as the final maintenance phase by vacuuming algae residue from portions of the pool floor. The work is expected to be finished within days.
The department also released updated photographs showing dramatically improved water clarity.
In areas that have already been cleaned, visitors can clearly see the blue coating that lines the bottom of the historic pool, creating the bright reflection effect many Americans associate with the landmark.
New Technology Tackles a Century-Old Problem
According to Interior Department officials, the cleanup effort relies on advanced nanobubble technology combined with environmentally safe hydrogen peroxide treatments.
A department spokesperson said the process poses no harmful risks to wildlife or the surrounding environment.
Officials also noted that the technology has been tested and validated by leading scientific organizations, including NOAA, Ohio State University, and the University of Florida.
Federal records show the Interior Department awarded a contract worth more than $1.7 million to Green Water Solutions to implement the system.
The technology works by injecting ozone-infused nanobubbles into the water. Those microscopic bubbles create oxidizing agents that break down contaminants and reduce the nutrients algae need to survive.
A Problem Dating Back More Than 100 Years
Algae growth is not a new challenge at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Since the landmark opened in 1922, maintenance crews have repeatedly struggled to keep the water clear, particularly after major restoration projects.
For now, however, visitors to the nation’s capital are finally seeing the Reflecting Pool in a condition worthy of one of America’s most treasured monuments.
After years of maintenance headaches, millions in renovation costs, and yet another algae outbreak, the famous pool appears to be returning to the clear, reflective centerpiece generations of Americans remember.
