Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool before blue paint job vs after
June 16, 2026Updated June 17, 2026, 8:50 a.m. ET
A view of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in 2021 before the algae bloom took over in 2026 that turned the water green days after a multimillion-dollar renovation. Scroll through to see the iconic landmark before and after the pool's basin was painted "American Flag Blue."
Leigh Vogel, Getty Images For The Canadian American Business Council
2020
People spend their afternoon by the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington D.C., on June 21, 2020.
Ting Shen, Xinhua News Agency Via Getty ImagesPeople spend their afternoon by the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington D.C., on June 21, 2020.
2026
Crews clean up algae that began to grow in the Reflecting Pool days after the Trump administrationās $14 million renovation project that repainted the surface āAmerican Flag Blueā on Monday, June 15, 2026.
Josh Morgan, USA TODAYCrews clean up algae that began to grow in the Reflecting Pool days after the Trump administrationās $14 million renovation project that repainted the surface āAmerican Flag Blueā on Monday, June 15, 2026.
2024
A child approaches ducks at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool amidst a heat wave on the National Mall on June 19, 2024 in Washington, DC. Temperatures in Washington reached 98 degrees as heat rose drastically throughout the East Coast.
Anna Rose Layden, Getty ImagesA child approaches ducks at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool amidst a heat wave on the National Mall on June 19, 2024 in Washington, DC. Temperatures in Washington reached 98 degrees as heat rose drastically throughout the East Coast.
2026
A U.S. Park Police officer on horseback strolls near the edge of the Reflecting Pool as algae continues to bloom days after the Trump administrationās at least $13 million renovation project that repainted the surface āAmerican Flag Blueā on Monday, June 15, 2026.
Josh Morgan, USA TODAYA U.S. Park Police officer on horseback strolls near the edge of the Reflecting Pool as algae continues to bloom days after the Trump administrationās at least $13 million renovation project that repainted the surface āAmerican Flag Blueā on Monday, June 15, 2026.
2022
Visitors at the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool on Aug. 31, 2022 in Washington, DC.
Bonnie Jo Mount, The Washington Post Via Getty ImagesVisitors at the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool on Aug. 31, 2022 in Washington, DC.
2026
Algae is pictured in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool following the completion of recent renovations on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. The reflecting pool construction project started in April and work was completed last week as part of President Donald Trump's plan ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary.
Tasos Katopodis, Getty ImagesAlgae is pictured in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool following the completion of recent renovations on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. The reflecting pool construction project started in April and work was completed last week as part of President Donald Trump's plan ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary.
2025
A duck is seen at the reflection pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial during a sunny day in Washington D.C., on Sept. 8, 2025.
Celal Gunes, Anadolu Via Getty ImagesA duck is seen at the reflection pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial during a sunny day in Washington D.C., on Sept. 8, 2025.
2026
Ducks swim around algae blooms in the Reflecting Pool days after the Trump administrationās at least $13 million renovation project that repainted the surface āAmerican Flag Blueā on Monday, June 15, 2026.
Josh Morgan, USA TODAYDucks swim around algae blooms in the Reflecting Pool days after the Trump administrationās at least $13 million renovation project that repainted the surface āAmerican Flag Blueā on Monday, June 15, 2026.
2024
Clouds overhead at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool as people enjoy the weather on the National Mall on May 29, 2024 in Washington, DC.
Kent Nishimura, Getty ImagesClouds overhead at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool as people enjoy the weather on the National Mall on May 29, 2024 in Washington, DC.
2026
People walk along the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool where algae has begun to bloom following the completion of recent renovations on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. The reflecting pool construction project started in April and work was completed last week as part of President Donald Trump's plan ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary.
Tasos Katopodis, Getty ImagesPeople walk along the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool where algae has begun to bloom following the completion of recent renovations on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. The reflecting pool construction project started in April and work was completed last week as part of President Donald Trump's plan ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary.
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