Washington Park Reflecting Pool Leaks 68,000 Gallons Daily

Portland Water Bureau crews are working to find the source of two leaks at the Washington Park reflecting pool while drinking water remains unaffected.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in National Parks

Still reflecting pool in a dense evergreen park under overcast skies, with a faint ripple near a mossy concrete edge. — Portland Water Bureau crews are searching for two leaks in the Washington Park reflecting pool that together lose an estimated 68,000 gallons a day, while drinking water remains unaffected. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The Portland Water Bureau reported a leak in the Washington Park reflecting pool that causes an estimated loss of 68,000 gallons of water a day. The underground drinking water reservoir is not leaking, and the leak has not affected drinking water quality.

Why it matters

The leak affects a public space in Washington Park, a Portland landmark, and the repair work could require draining the pool. Residents and visitors should note the bureau has not yet established a repair timeline.

The Portland Water Bureau estimates the reflecting pool loses 68,000 gallons of water a day, while the separate underground reservoir supplying the west side shows no leakage. The bureau has not yet identified the exact source of the leak or set a repair date.

The players

Portland Water Bureau

The Portland Water Bureau is the city agency responsible for supplying and maintaining drinking water and related infrastructure for residents of Portland, Oregon.

Hoffman Construction

Hoffman Construction is a contractor working with the Portland Water Bureau to locate and address the leaks in the Washington Park reflecting pool.

The details

Crews first noticed a bulge in the reflecting pool's liner system in August 2025, and testing found water collecting between the primary and secondary liners. In August 2026, crews found a second leak beneath the lower liner that drains into the stormwater system, and the bureau and Hoffman Construction are working to pinpoint the source using dye testing.

August 2025: Crews first noticed a bulge in the reflecting pool's liner system.
August 2026: Crews found a second leak beneath the lower liner.
November 11, 2026: The Portland Water Bureau reported the 68,000-gallon daily leak.

Health Landscape

The leaks reveal how the dual-liner design of the Washington Park reflecting pool allowed water to collect between layers before escaping past the lower liner into stormwater drains. The bureau's dye-testing approach aims to locate the failure while limiting disruptive excavation.

Visitors to Washington Park should expect the reflecting pool to remain in operation while the surrounding public space stays open. Because the repair could require draining the pool, the bureau's eventual timeline may affect when the pool is visible.

The takeaway

Public infrastructure leaks can persist for months before crews pinpoint the source, so patience and monitoring of official updates are useful. Residents can rely on the bureau's statements to confirm whether drinking water is affected.