Dead Ducks Found in Reflecting Pool Prompt Investigation, Report Says

Washington D.C.’s Department of Energy and the Environment is investigating the deaths of multiple ducks and ducklings at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. According to the Washington Post, the probe began after images of dead waterfowl circulated on social media. City Wildlife, an animal rehab center, has collected two dead ducks for necropsies to determine the cause of death.

What caused the waterfowl deaths?

Experts remain unclear on the exact cause of death, but researchers told multiple outlets that a recent algae bloom appears to be blue-green algae. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, this cyanobacteria is toxic to marine birds and other wildlife.

National Parks Service workers were observed dumping hydrogen peroxide into the pool last week. Department of the Interior spokesperson Katie Martin told Forbes that this common treatment has “no harmful side effects to marine life or to the environment.”

Chris-Anne Burton of City Wildlife confirmed to Forbes that the city’s Department of Energy and the Environment will manage the primary investigation. The Department of the Interior has not responded to requests for comment regarding the deaths.

Did You Know? The Reflecting Pool first opened in 1922 and was recently repainted “American Flag Blue” during renovations in April.

How did the pool’s condition deteriorate?

President Donald Trump drained the pool in April for significant renovations. When the basin was refilled in June, it quickly turned green. A Department of the Interior spokesperson told CNN the bloom resulted from “residual” algae in supply lines from the Tidal Basin.

To combat the growth, the Department of the Interior used “nanobubbler” technology. Katie Martin told Forbes the algae was “dead and being vacuumed up” during that process. However, visitors later observed large chunks of new paint peeling from the basin, which Trump attributed to “vandalism.”

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the recurring nature of these blooms—which also occurred after 2012 renovations—suggests a systemic struggle to balance aesthetic mandates, like specific paint colors, with the biological realities of the Tidal Basin’s water supply.

How does the renovation spending compare?

Spending figures for the pool vary by administration and source. Trump claimed his administration spent approximately $16 million on repairs to the pool and surrounding area.

Parasites At Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Killing Ducks

Trump has alleged that the Obama and Biden administrations spent over $100 million on the pool. However, an Associated Press fact check found that Biden never worked on any major renovations. Obama spent approximately $34 million on renovations in 2012, though algae returned weeks later.

What happens next?

The results of the necropsies performed by City Wildlife could identify whether cyanobacteria or other factors caused the deaths. This finding may influence how the Department of the Interior manages future algae treatments.

The Department of Energy and the Environment may issue new guidelines for pool maintenance if toxins are confirmed. Further efforts to stabilize the basin’s paint and water quality are likely to continue as the city monitors the site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is leading the investigation into the dead ducks?
The city’s Department of Energy and the Environment is handling the primary investigation, while City Wildlife collected specimens for necropsies.

What is the suspected cause of the water’s green color?
Researchers identified the color as a blue-green algae bloom, also known as cyanobacteria, which the EPA states is toxic to wildlife.

How much was spent on the most recent renovations?
President Trump claims his administration spent about $16 million on repairs to the pool and the surrounding area.

Do you believe high-profile national monuments should prioritize aesthetic appearances or ecological stability?