Mall’s Reflecting Pool to be drained and refilled

In this Aug. 28, 2013 photo, people gather around the reflecting pool, looking toward the Washington Monument, near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. (Susan Walsh/AP)

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a mainstay of the Mall and a 7 million-gallon mirror to two of Washington’s most iconic monuments, is to be drained. But only temporarily.

About 80 ducklings have died there recently, likely because of a parasite in snails that dwell in the historic eight-acre body of water, the National Park Service said.

Chemical treatment isn’t enough, the Park Service said. So in a move with obvious swamp-draining resonance, the water goes out, starting Sunday.

The pool is ubiquitous in tourist photos, and it also reflects the Washington Monument. Its unwanted H2O is to gush and gurgle its way through the city’s sewers. Cleaning and bottom treatment is to begin Tuesday, and refill is to start June 16.

martin.weil@washpost.com, justin.moyer@washpost.com