parks
Reflecting Pool being drained – again – as Trump administration tries once more to fix landmark
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 8, 2026
· 4 min read
By Sunlen Serfaty, CNN
(CNN) — Crews began draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Sunday, according to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, for the second time in three months.
In an interview released Tuesday with Katie Miller, a conservative podcaster and wife of President Trump’s depu...
Key takeaway Asked about the schedule for this round of renovations, he gave no specifics beyond a broad overview.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The repeated issues with the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool may seem like a distant concern for El Paso residents, but the situation has implications for local parks and water features. The Reflecting Pool's problems with algae blooms and vandalism are not unique to Washington D.C. - similar issues can be found in El Paso's own parks and public spaces. The use of a no-bid contract for repairs also raises questions about the procurement processes used by local government agencies in El Paso. As the city moves forward with its own park renovations and construction projects, officials should take note of the Reflecting Pool's troubles and consider strategies for preventing similar problems, such as regular maintenance and community engagement. By learning from the experiences of other cities, El Paso can work to create and maintain beautiful and functional public spaces that benefit the community.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Sunlen Serfaty, CNN
(CNN) — Crews began draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Sunday, according to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, for the second time in three months.
In an interview released Tuesday with Katie Miller, a conservative podcaster and wife of President Trump’s depu...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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