Duck-killing parasites infest Lincoln Memorial’s iconic pool

By John Siciliano

Published June 9, 2017 5:53pm ET

Duck-killing parasites infest Lincoln Memorial’s iconic pool — Nearly 80 ducklings have been found dead in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Examinations by federal clinicians showed that the cause of death was "high levels of parasites that develop and grow in snails that live in the pool." (Steve/Wikipedia)

The Lincoln Memorial’s famous reflecting pool has turned into a parasite-infested, duck-killing cauldron that the National Park Service said Friday it is taking drastic action to clean.

“The National Park Service will drain the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool starting Sunday for cleaning and treatment of a water-borne parasite that has affected the local duck population,” the federal agency said. It expects to have the pool refilled by June 19.