Editing Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

{{Short description|Rectangular pool in Washington, D.C.}}
[[File:DC_monument_view_from_Lincoln_memorial.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in September 2016, facing east towards the [[Washington Monument]]]]

The '''Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool''' is the largest of the many [[reflecting pool]]s in [[Washington, D.C.]]. It is a {{convert|2030|by|167|ft|adj=on}} rectangular pool located on the [[National Mall]], directly east of the [[Lincoln Memorial]], with the [[World War II Memorial]] and [[Washington Monument]] to the east of the reflecting pool.<ref>{{Citation| title = Foundation Statement for the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Park| newspaper = [[National Park Service]]| url = http://www.nps.gov/nationalmallplan/Maps/NMMParks_map.pdf| access-date = 2010-05-20}}</ref> 

Part of the iconic image of Washington, D.C., the reflecting pool hosts many of the 24 million visitors who visit the National Mall annually.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gibson |first=T. |date=2 Apr 2010 |title=Reflecting Pool Could Go on 2-Year Hiatus |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/A-Mall-Makeover-89764877.html |work=nbcwashington.com |location=USA |access-date=21 Mar 2018}}</ref> It is lined by walking paths and shade trees on both sides. Depending on the viewer's vantage point, it dramatically reflects the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Mall's trees, and the expansive sky.

==Description==
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was designed by [[Henry Bacon]], and was constructed in 1922 and 1923, following the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial. It is approximately {{convert|2030|ft|m mi|frac=8}} long and {{convert|167|ft|m}} wide.<ref>{{cite web | title = Restoration of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool | publisher = WSP | date = n.d. | url = https://www.wsp.com/en-US/projects/lincoln-memorial-washington-dc-us | access-date = 2020-12-08 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20200811013211/https://www.wsp.com/en-US/projects/lincoln-memorial-washington-dc-us | archive-date = 11 August 2020 }}</ref> The perimeter of the pool is therefore {{convert|4,392|ft|m mi|frac=16|abbr=off|sp=us}} around. It has a depth of approximately {{cvt|18|in|cm|abbr=on}} on the sides and  {{convert|30|in|cm|abbr=on|0}} in the center. It holds approximately {{convert|6,750,000|USgal|L|abbr=off|sp=us}} of water.<ref>{{cite web | title = Deconstructing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool | publisher = Watercrunch | date = 2009-01-19 | url = http://www.watercrunch.com/2009/01/deconstructing-lincoln-memorial.html | access-date = 2009-10-05 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120227144514/http://www.watercrunch.com/2009/01/deconstructing-lincoln-memorial.html | archive-date =27 February 2012 }}</ref>

==Restoration==
Using funding from the [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009]], the [[National Park Service]] reconstructed the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The pool's water supply system was updated to eliminate [[Water stagnation|stagnant water]] by circulating water from the [[Tidal Basin (District of Columbia)|Tidal Basin]]; the pool was formerly filled using [[Drinking water|potable water]] from the city. Paved walking paths were added to the north and south sides of the pool to replace worn grass and to prevent further [[erosion]].<ref>{{Citation| last1 = MacSpadden| first1 = Lisa| last2 = Staudigl| first2 = Stephen| title = NCPC Adopts CapitalSpace Plan and Approves Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool/Grounds Rehabilitation and St. Elizabeths West Campus Perimeter Security| newspaper = National Capital Planning Commission, News Release| date = 2010-04-01| url = http://www.ncpc.gov/ncpc/Main%28T2%29/Media%28Tr2%29/NewsRelease1.html| access-date = 2010-04-23| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100527175642/http://www.ncpc.gov/ncpc/Main(T2)/Media(Tr2)/NewsRelease1.html| archive-date = 2010-05-27| url-status = dead}}</ref> Construction on the 18-month, $30.74 million project began in November 2010. In May 2011, workers began sinking the first of 2,113 wood [[piling]]s into a {{convert|40|ft|m|adj=mid|-deep|sp=us|abbr=off}} layer of soft, marshy river [[clay]] and some dredged material atop [[bedrock]] to support a new pool.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ruane|first=Michael E.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/shoring-up-support-for-lincoln-reflecting-pool/2011/05/10/AFPUcLkG_story.html|title=Deep-rooted support for new Lincoln pool|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|publisher=The Washington Post Co.|place=Washington, D.C.|pages=B1, B5|date=2011-05-11|access-date=2011-05-11}}</ref> The pool reopened on August 31, 2012. The project was managed by the [[Louis Berger Group]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Henning|first1=Tyler|title=Improved Filtration Revitalizes a National Treasure|url=http://www.modernpumpingtoday.com/improved-filtration-revitalizes-a-national-treasure/|website=Modern Pumping Today|date=April 2013|access-date=16 May 2015}}</ref>

===Post-restoration operation===
Within weeks of the pool's reopening in 2012, it had to be drained and cleaned at a cost of $100,000 due to [[algae]] in the pool. The algae growth was so extensive it almost completely covered the surface of the pool.<ref name=wheelerdrain>{{cite news|last=Wheeler|first=Candace|title=Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool is drained to remove algae|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 3, 2012|access-date=June 10, 2017|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-is-drained-to-remove-algae/2012/10/03/9b82bf4e-0da6-11e2-bd1a-b868e65d57eb_story.html}}</ref> Using an ozone disinfectant system installed during the renovation,<ref>{{cite news|last=Ruane|first=Michael|title=Lincoln reflecting pool rehab nears completion|work=The Boston Globe|date=August 12, 2012|access-date=June 10, 2017|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2012/08/11/lincoln-reflecting-pool-rehab-nears-completion/4PWWQoLnVWXUNcgFPJkZoM/story.html}}</ref> the National Park Service said it would double the amount of algae-killing ozone in the pool to control future outbreaks.<ref name=wheelerdrain />

In 2013, construction on the [[National World War II Memorial]] damaged the eastern end of the Reflecting Pool. NPS workers closed the eastern {{convert|30|ft|m|0|abbr=off|sp=us}} of the pool in August 2015 to repair the basin, work that was completed in the summer of 2016.<ref>{{cite news|title=Part of reflecting pool to undergo months-long repairs|work=WTOP.com|date=August 31, 2015|access-date=June 10, 2017|url=http://wtop.com/dc/2015/08/part-of-reflecting-pool-to-undergo-monthslong-repairs/}}</ref>

The Reflecting Pool was completely drained in June 2017 to control a parasitical outbreak. The parasite, which causes [[swimmer's itch]], infects snails which inhabit the pool. More than 80 ducks and ducklings have died at the pool due to parasitical infection since May 20. Park Service workers said the work and refilling of the pool would take 10 days.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wamsley|first=Laurel|title=Park Service To Drain Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool After 80 Ducks Die|work=NPR|date=June 9, 2017|access-date=June 10, 2017|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/06/09/532292513/park-service-to-drain-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-after-80-ducks-die}}</ref>

==Historic events==
[[File:Vietnam War protestors at the March on the Pentagon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Anti-Vietnam War]] protesters at the pool for the [[March on the Pentagon]] on October 21, 1967]]
Located at the base of the Lincoln Memorial's steps, the Reflecting Pool area has been the site of many historic events, including:
*In 1939, singer [[Marian Anderson]] was denied permission to perform at [[Constitution Hall]] in Washington because she was [[African American]]. An open-air concert was held on Easter Sunday, with a crowd of over 75,000 people.
*On August 28, 1963, the [[March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom]] used the area for its [[Civil Rights]] rally. It was there that [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] gave his "[[I Have a Dream]]" speech, delivered to a crowd of 250,000 people.
*On October 21, 1967, 100,000 [[anti-Vietnam War]] protesters met at the pool and memorial to begin the [[March on the Pentagon]].
*In 2009, [[We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial]] was held, with a crowd of 400,000 people.
*In 2010, the restoration project began.
*On August 28, 2010, the [[Restoring Honor rally]] was held. Notable speakers included [[Alveda King]], the niece of [[Martin Luther King Jr.]], former vice presidential candidate [[Sarah Palin]], and the event's organizer [[Glenn Beck]]. 
*As of 2012, the restoration project was completed and the pool was reopened on August 31.
*On December 31, 2012, National Park Rangers, using their personal funds and time, lit over 2,000 candles around the reflecting pool in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, where the Park Service rang in the New Year with a Night Watch and Freedom Vigil and the singing of "[[My Country, 'Tis of Thee]]".
*On August 28, 2013, the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech was commemorated by an all-day event. The event featured various speakers including then President [[Barack Obama]] and [[John Lewis]], the only living speaker from the original rally.
*On January 19, 2021, then [[President-elect of the United States|President-elect]] [[Joe Biden]] and then [[Vice president-elect of the United States|Vice President-elect]] [[Kamala Harris]] held a memorial honoring the 400,000 [[Americans]] who had died in the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-memorial-covid-19-victims-watch-live-stream-today-2021-01-19/ | title=Biden and Harris honor COVID-19 victims on eve of inauguration | website=[[CBS News]] }}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:Reflecting pool.jpg|The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool seen from the [[Lincoln Memorial]] in 2004
Image:People on Ice Over Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool 2010.02.07.JPG|Ice covering the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after the [[February 5–6, 2010 North American blizzard]]
File:DC 23 1 (6633835613).jpg|Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool before reconstruction in April 2010
File:National Mall undergoing renovations - Stierch.jpg|Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool undergoing reconstruction in June 2011
Image:Rehabilitation works Reflecting Pool 12 2011 DC 000102.JPG|Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool undergoing reconstruction in December 2011
File:DC monument view from Lincoln memorial.jpg|Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after reconstruction in May 2016
Image:15 23 0092 washington memorial.jpg|The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool at sunset in August 2015
Image:Reflecting Pool at night from the roof of the Lincoln Memorial..jpg|The [[Washington Monument]] seen in the Reflecting Pool from the roof of the Lincoln Memorial in June 2010
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Capitol Reflecting Pool]]
* [[Rainbow Pool]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool}}
* [http://havecamerawilltravel.com/reflecting-pool-lincoln-memorial Photos of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool]
* [http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Changes-Planned-for-Lincoln-Memorial-Reflecting-Pool-56929277.html NBC Washington: Changes Planned for Lincoln Memorial, Reflecting Pool]
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