At the risk of asking a very stupid question in regards to the reflecting pool

[dsc]

why not just use chlorine to shock it clear of algae and keep it chlorinated to prevent the return of it? I do realize that they would need to filter but I assume that is already going on just not well.

[rampartd]

1. it is not now and has never been a swimming pool

i think it actually connects to the potomac

[dsc]

3. It seems turning it into a self contained body of water would have been cheaper and more effective than the 15 million

we just spent.

[Ocelot II]

2. Just chlorine isn't enough - the still, warm water perfect for the growth of algae.

They made it even worse by painting the bottom of the pool dark blue; the dark color causes the water to heat even more, and the ducks add fertilizer. Massive amounts of chlorine will kill it temporarily but it will come back. The real problem is with the plumbing system that supplies and circulates the water, which leaks and has never been repaired. More here: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/05/31/us/trump-reflecting-pool-problems.html?unlocked_article_code=1.qVA.Hbdd.gbkvbjqGoMdC&smid=url-share

[thucythucy]

4. Aside from what's already been mentioned

chlorine would potentially harm or even kill anything drinking from that water: birds, squirrels, the ocasional cat or dog...

What a mess.

[Wiz Imp]

5. AI response

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is not chlorinated because it is designed as an architectural monument, not a swimming pool. Maintaining standard chlorine levels for its 6.75 million gallons of water would be prohibitively expensive, dangerous to local wildlife, and highly corrosive to the monument's pumps and surrounding structures

It may be AI, but it is 100% accurate.

[dsc]

6. guess that makes sense

but then it seems the algae is insurmountable unless you are going to just keep recycling the water at a very fast rate.

[Americanme]

8. I visited DC in the spring of 2024.

While standing and admiring the reflecting pool, I thought it was beautiful just as it was. I surely didn't have any thoughts that it should look like a swimming pool. Trump is an idiot.

[surfered]

7. Aeration would help.

[Ocelot II]

9. Aeration would disturb the surface of the pool so it wouldn't reflect any more.

It would no longer be a reflecting pool - would defeat the entire purpose of the thing.

[obamanut2012]

11. How would it be a reflecting pool?

[obamanut2012]

10. It would kill wildlife and pollute the water in the tidal basin

It is not a swimming pool. There is zero reason to put chemicals into it.