arts
Rips appear in Reflecting Pool's new sealant, chosen by Trump, after algae bloom 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 in Washington, D.C. may seem far removed from Miami , but the issue of algae blooms and water quality is all too familiar for residents of South Florida. Miami's own waterways, including those in neighborhoods like Miami Beach and Little Havana, often face similar challenges with algae and pollution. The use of hydrogen peroxide to clean the Reflecting Pool is also noteworthy, as similar methods have been explored in local water treatment efforts. Meanwhile, the Reflecting Pool's problems with leaks and faulty plumbing echo the concerns about sea-level rise and flooding that Miami-Dade County is working to address. As the nation's capital deals with its own water quality issues, Miami can take note of the strategies being employed and consider how they might be applied to local challenges.
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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