WASHINGTON - Water-borne parasites in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool have killed at least 80 ducklings since the end of May, according to the U.S. Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center.
The pool must be drained, as chemical treatments alone could not sufficiently reduce the number of parasites and snails in which the parasites grow.
Crews will begin draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Sunday and begin cleaning it once the pool is fully drained on Tuesday.
Once the cleaning is finished next Friday, the National Park Service will continue to monitor the pool's water quality.
Humans who encounter the parasite are at low risk of developing a skin rash called "swimmer's itch," but the condition is not contagious and rarely requires medical treatment.
The pool will be back and open for business on June 19.