WASHINGTON DC, United States — Flooding at the Tidal Basin illustrates the urgent need for the $113 million Tidal Basin Seawall Reconstruction Project, which began in late-spring 2024. This scene showcases the environmental challenges facing one of Washington DC's most iconic landscapes, as failing infrastructure and rising water levels threaten historic cherry trees, memorials, and visitor accessibility in this popular National Park Service site.
Photograph by David Coleman. The image captures the recurring problem of flooding at the Tidal Basin in Washington DC, a critical issue that the National Park Service is addressing through a major rehabilitation project funded by the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund. Starting in late spring 2024, this $113 million, three-year project aims to protect iconic memorials and nearly 3,700 Japanese flowering cherry trees from failing infrastructure and rising sea levels. The current seawalls, dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, have settled up to five feet in some areas, allowing water to overflow twice daily during normal tidal conditions. The comprehensive restoration will involve reconstructing the stone masonry seawalls with a pile-supported platform foundation, salvaging historic stones where possible, and raising wall heights to combat future sea level rise. While 158 cherry trees will be removed during construction, 455 trees, including 274 cherry trees, will be replanted upon completion. The project also includes widening and improving walkways for better accessibility. This crucial investment is part of a larger $500 million infrastructure improvement plan for the National Mall leading up to America's 250th anniversary in 2026. The rehabilitation ensures the preservation of this culturally significant landscape for the next century, balancing historic preservation with necessary adaptations to climate change.
Size: 8256px × 5504px
Location: Tidal Basin, Washington DC, District of Columbia, United States
Photo credit: © David Coleman | CherryBlossomWatch / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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