The Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial is facing multiple issues as National Park Service crews attempt to clean the algae that has turned the water bright green. A new problem has emerged with the ‘American flag blue’ coating coming off in large pieces.

Initially, the new paint job on the pool appeared uneven. Soon after, an algae bloom caused the water to turn acid green. Now, the coating is peeling off, creating islands of blue amid patches of green in the murky water.

This project was part of President Trump’s efforts to reseal and repaint the pool’s concrete basin. Completed just two weeks ago, the renovation was intended to be ready for the country’s 250th anniversary, as insisted by the president. However, the outcome has been troublesome for the administration.

The Interior Department recently announced on social media that workers had eliminated the algae, which had been accelerated by the area’s heat and humidity. The department claimed the water was now ‘crystal clear’ and shared images of the Washington Monument reflected in the blue waters. These posts seemed to counter expert criticisms that the pool’s waters won’t appear brilliantly blue until more underlying issues are resolved.

Yet, on the following Friday afternoon, remnants of algae could still be seen despite efforts to clean the pool’s basin. Additionally, missing sections of the new coating revealed patches of the original concrete basin. One exposed gap was about the size of a park bench, with a loose sheet of coating fluttering in the water.

Nearby, Alex Hobe, age 52, stood waving a small piece of detached paint. He found the fragment while making deliveries in the area and had stopped to observe the pool renovation. The chip appeared semitransparent and felt rough to touch.