Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool stretches across the National Mall between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Its long, calm surface mirrors both landmarks, making the walk along its paved edges a scenic way to take in the memorials. Come at sunrise or sunset for softer light and reflections, or pause on a bench to watch the water and its ducks. The pool is about 2,000 feet long, so walking from end to end gives you a fuller view of its setting.

The pool’s scale and design

The pool was built in 1922 and 1923. It is about 2,000 feet long and 165 feet wide, with paved walkways on its north and south sides added during a 2011 renovation. At the edges, the water is about 1.5 feet deep; at the centre, it reaches about 2.5 feet.

The design was modelled on the grand canals at Versailles and Fontainebleau. Its position between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument gives the water a direct view of both landmarks.

Water and the National Mall

The pool’s water system was originally designed to use strong Potomac River tides to clear silt from the Washington Channel and keep water levels steady in the reflecting pools at the Lincoln Memorial. Today, the long basin also provides a broad open foreground for views of the memorials.

The Lincoln Memorial itself is a separate structure at the western end of the pool. It takes the form of a Greek Doric temple, with 36 columns; inside, a 19-foot marble statue depicts Abraham Lincoln seated. The pool and memorial can be seen together on a walk along the Mall.