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By Hollie Silverman
News Editor
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A viral photograph of a dead duck floating in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has intensified scrutiny of the landmark’s recent $14 million renovation, fueling a mounting debate over water quality, chemical treatments, and alleged vandalism at the historic site.
The cause of the duck's death remains unknown, but the image, which has over 620,000 views as of Sunday afternoon on X, has quickly become a flashpoint for critics highlighting the pool's rapid deterioration. Environmental concerns have moved to the forefront, as observers warn that current water conditions could pose risks to the wildlife that regularly inhabit the national monument.
Newsweek reached out to the White House and the National Park Service (NPS) by email Sunday for comment.
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Reflecting Pool Controversy
The wildlife fatality comes amid a broader controversy over the condition of the Reflecting Pool following its recent overhaul.
The multi-million-dollar project included repainting the pool's basin in a shade dubbed "American Flag Blue" in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary. However, within days of completion, the water turned a murky green due to algae blooms, and sections of the new coating began peeling into floating fragments. To combat the growth, maintenance crews resorted to chemical treatments, including hydrogen peroxide.
The rapid deterioration has prompted criticism from visitors, environmentalists, and political figures, with some questioning the execution of the renovation itself. Associated Press photos showed multiple crews working to clean the pool over the weekend.
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Officials have offered differing explanations for the issues. While some point to natural environmental factors like heat and stagnant water, President Donald Trump has said, without providing evidence, that the damage is the result of deliberate vandalism.
"Many additional people have been arrested having to do with the disgraceful Vandalism of our beautiful Reflecting Pool," Trump wrote Saturday on Truth Social. Following an in-person inspection on Sunday, he added: "Work will begin immediately on fixing the seriously vandalized Reflecting Pool. I just inspected it, and could only say to myself, and those gathered around me, WOW, who would do such a thing? SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE! We will fix it."
In a Sunday afternoon X post, Emma Nicholson, a White House associate producer for CBS News, wrote that "14 police reports have been filed" regarding alleged vandalism, citing an administration official. Newsweek reached out to the White House for confirmation and comment.
"As of last night 5 people had been arrested for vandalizing the Reflecting Pool and another 5 were issued federal citations," she added.
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What We Know About the Dead Duck
Images shared on social media show at least one dead duck in the reflecting pool, appearing just days after crews began chemical treatments to treat the algae growth. Photographs from the AP late last week captured a mother duck and eight ducklings swimming in the basin.
While online speculation has linked the death to the hydrogen peroxide treatments, there is currently no evidence establishing a direct connection. Experts note that while hydrogen peroxide is a standard water treatment that breaks down relatively quickly, exceptionally high concentrations can pose a risk to wildlife if exposure is significant
How Algae Has Impacted the Reflecting Pool
The lack of a definitive explanation for the duck's death has fueled online debate, amplified by widely circulated images of murky water, debris, and seemingly distressed wildlife.
Some observers suggest cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, could be responsible. The microscopic organisms thrive in sunlight and stagnant water; while naturally occurring, rapid blooms can release dangerous toxins.
Experts emphasize that managing water quality in large, open-air monuments is inherently difficult.
"The minute you put fresh water into a stagnant situation, it’s going to turn green," John Wilson Jr., a water systems specialist, previously told Newsweek.
Engineer Tyler Dailey also previously told Newsweek that reflecting pools are not designed with filtration systems typical of swimming pools, meaning “there’s no sanitization of any kind,” which can make controlling algae more challenging.
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