arts
Rips appear in Reflecting Pool's new sealant, chosen by Trump, after algae turn water green
By Joe Walsh at CBS4 Miami
· June 20, 2026
· 5 min read
President Trump's efforts to spruce up the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool faced a snag this week, with algae turning the water a fluorescent green hue while rips appeared in an "American Flag Blue" surface handpicked by the president.The century-old Reflecting Pool has long faced problems with lea
Key takeaway In April, the president launched an effort to address the pool's "terrible" condition, part of a slate of spring cleaning projects in Washington, D.
Why this matters in The Miami
The struggles with the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's maintenance may seem far removed from Miami 's own issues with water quality and infrastructure, but the situation serves as a reminder that even high-profile projects can face similar challenges. Miami's own experiences with flooding and sea-level rise make it clear that maintaining large bodies of water is a complex task. The use of industrial-grade sealants and treatments, like those used in the Reflecting Pool, may be of interest to local officials dealing with similar issues in Miami's own waterways and pools. Furthermore, the Reflecting Pool's problems with algae and leaks are not dissimilar from the issues faced by Miami's own lakes and canals, where invasive species and pollution can cause significant problems. As Miami continues to grapple with its own water management challenges, the lessons learned from the Reflecting Pool's maintenance efforts may be worth considering.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS4 Miami . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS4 Miami . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: arts ·
Published: June 20, 2026 ·
Source: CBS4 Miami ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? President Trump's efforts to spruce up the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool faced a snag this week, with algae turning the water a fluorescent green hue while rips appeared in an "American Flag Blue" surface handpicked by the president.The century-old Reflecting Pool has long faced problems with lea
When was this published? This article was first published on June 20, 2026 by CBS4 Miami and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joe Walsh at CBS4 Miami. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more arts coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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