Less than two weeks after President Donald Trump announced the completion of a major renovation, the newly applied blue coating at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is already peeling away from the bottom of the historic landmark. 

On Thursday, a flap of blue material was observed partially detached from the pool floor, floating toward the surface in one section of the iconic waterway on the National Mall. It remains unclear whether the peeling material is paint or sealant, and authorities have not yet determined what caused the failure. 

The Department of the Interior did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the issue.

The contractor responsible for the work, Eddie Wood of Atlantic Industrial Coatings, acknowledged the situation but said he could not draw conclusions from images alone. Wood indicated his team would address any problems during scheduled maintenance. 

Infrastructure expert Tim Auerhahn, chairman of the Aquatic Council, noted that "apparent delamination" can have numerous causes, ranging from inadequate surface preparation and contamination to poor adhesion or mechanical damage. The key question, he said, is whether the peeling is localized or indicative of a broader systemic failure. 

The renovation, ordered by President Trump in April, was initially estimated to cost roughly $1.8 million. Federal contract records now show the price tag has swelled to approximately $14.7 million.  The president personally selected the shade of coating used, referring to it as "American flag blue." 

Algae blooms have returned to the pool shortly after it was refilled, continuing a century-old struggle that has frustrated multiple presidential administrations. In 2012, the Obama administration spent $34 million on an 18-month renovation that similarly failed to resolve persistent algae problems. 

Crews have been observed pouring hydrogen peroxide into the water and deploying what the Interior Department described as "advanced nanobubbler technology" in an effort to combat the discoloration. Despite these interventions, large sections of the pool remained visibly green as of Thursday. 

The Reflecting Pool, which stretches more than 2,000 feet between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, has been plagued by leaks and algae since it first opened a century ago. 

The latest renovation is part of broader efforts to revitalize the nation's capital ahead of the 250th anniversary celebrations. The Trump administration has also pursued projects including a ballroom at the White House East Wing, a towering arch near Arlington National Cemetery, and the proposed "National Garden of American Heroes" featuring 250 statues of notable Americans.