A public meeting was held on September 24, 2015 at the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium to discuss the
findings in the recently completed Feasibility Study for the Removal of the Gorge Dam. The study was completed by Tetra Tech, Inc. (Tetra Tech) from Cleveland, Ohio.
Ohio EPA contracted with Tetra Tech to develop planning level cost estimates for the removal and disposal of sediments upstream of the Gorge Dam and for the removal and disposal of the Gorge Dam.
Ohio EPA needs planning level cost estimates to continue the process of securing funds for eventual sediment and dam removal and disposal. As specified by Ohio EPA, this project focused upon issues and costs likely to have the greatest impact upon total project costs.
Tetra Tech coordinated with Ohio EPA, Metro Parks, the City of Akron, First Energy, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to perform the following tasks:
- assessment of feasible methods of sediment removal and dewatering;
- assessment of feasible methods of dam removal;
- identification of potential disposal sites and evaluation of material placement and managementoptions;
- identification of potential regulatory requirements;
- and the development of concept level drawings of the existing site and proposed constructionactivities
As far as the cost is concerned, we didn’t think it would be cheap. We weren’t wrong. The estimate for the best scenario is about $70 Million. And the best estimate for earliest time frame is about 6 years.
We should not be daunted by the cost. The recreational, tourism and visitor value of restoring the Gorge of the Cuyahoga to its original splendor is many times this cost. And what a victory for our River, Northeast Ohio and water quality.
In terms of the time, we have invested a lot of energy and years of effort. We can and will see this through. Over the next few months, Friends of the Crooked River will be developing strategies to support the effort. Stayed tuned for what you can do to help.
The full report can be viewed here http://epa.ohio.gov/dsw/tmdl/CuyahogaRiver.aspx#116499118-supplemental-information
For more information, read Bob Downing’s article from the Akron Beacon Journal:
Removing Gorge Dam on Cuyahoga River between Akron and Cuyahoga Falls could cost about $70 million