Algae Bloom Undermines Million-Dollar Reflecting Pool Renovation

The $14 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool reveals the growing intersection of infrastructure challenges and climate resilience—a costly project that failed to prevent algae blooms within 24 hours of opening. Rising temperatures and stagnant water conditions create ideal environments for algal growth, a problem increasingly affecting water systems globally. This case demonstrates how traditional engineering solutions must now account for climate-driven environmental changes to ensure long-term infrastructure sustainability.