The Cuyahoga River was so polluted, it used to catch fire. Now it's making a comeback
NPR, 10/12/2024
A superb piece on the Cuyahoga River from NPR, it encapsulates the history of efforts to restore the river, from river cleanups and addressing combined sewer overflows to the recent introduction of Lake Sturgeon and the (anticipated) removal of the Gorge Dam.
Brecksville Dam removal begins, thanks to forward-thinking, healthy partnerships
Sun Star Courier, 6/1/2020
“Removal of the Brecksville Dam — variously known as the Station Road Dam, the Route 82 Dam and the Canal Diversion Dam — began with an initial feasibility study in 2006. The combination of environmental concerns, historic preservation issues and a tangled web of stakeholders required a deliberate approach.”
AMERICAN RIVERS NAMES CLEVELAND’S CUYAHOGA “RIVER OF THE YEAR”
American Rivers, 4/2019
“Celebrating the progress that has been made to clean up Cleveland, Ohio’s Cuyahoga River, and marking the 50th anniversary of the river’s fire that sparked the nation’s environmental movement, American Rivers today named the Cuyahoga “River of the Year” for 2019.”
Fish in river that famously caught fire now OK’d for dinner
The Associated Press, 3/19/2019
“The U.S. EPA agreed with Ohio EPA’s recommendation that restrictions on fish consumption be eased from Gorge Dam near Akron to Lake Erie in Cleveland. State regulators proposed the change last year judging by improvements observed through fish tissue sampling.”
The Cuyahoga’s cleaner, but there’s still work to do
Great Lakes Today, 5/7/2018
“The Cuyahoga River has come a long way from that infamous 1969 fire – and it’s getting better every day. Along with three other rivers in Ohio, the Cuyahoga is on the U.S. EPA’s Area of Concern List, which includes places hurt by industry and development. The river has 10 problem areas or impairments – loss of fish habitat and fish population, among others.”
Burning river reborn: How Cleveland saved the Cuyahoga – and itself
The Christian Science Monitor, 8/8/2017
Forty miles upriver, at the town of Cuyahoga Falls, Elaine Marsh is a watershed specialist for Summit Metro Parks, a regional agency that is slowly accumulating preserved land on the swift whitewater of the Cuyahoga’s upper 94 miles. … “The fire is now part of the myth of the river. And by myth, I mean something that inspires,” she says. “We like to think of the Cuyahoga as a phoenix rising out of the ashes of the fire. Could that have happened without the fire? It’s like asking if slavery would have ended without the Civil War. Probably, but not for a long time.”
Protect Lake Erie from devastating Trump administration cuts, Sen. Portman: editorial
The Plain Dealer, 3/8/2017
Never has the threat been more grave. To help pay for tens of billions in increased defense spending, President Donald Trump’s administration reportedly is considering eviscerating the Great Lakes initiative with a 97 percent cut.
Animus in Army Corps’ emails toward Cleveland requires judicial rebuke: editorial
The Plain Dealer, 1/27/2017
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has long been accused of being arrogant, closed-minded and high-handed toward Cleveland and the state of Ohio and not a bit concerned about finding a solution to a years-long dispute over Cuyahoga River dredge disposal.
Special Metro Parks series focused on the famed Gorge dam
Akron Beacon Journal, 1/22/2017
With the push to remove a 105-year-old dam from Gorge Metro Park — a move that would uncover the long-hidden falls under the Cuyahoga River that gave Cuyahoga Falls its name — Summit County Metro Parks has planned a series of special programs about the well-known but obsolete feature
Brecksville Dam targeted for demolition; fishing, Cuyahoga River water quality expected to improve
The Plain Dealer, 8/6/2016
An environmental assessment of the Brecksville Dam is expected to be completed by the end of this month, followed by a public comment period in September, with a possible demolition date in 2017 or 2018.
Lake Erie Dredging
The Sound of Ideas, 5/10/2016
Lake Erie. It’s one of the region’s most valued natural assets–supplying drinking water to more than 70 communities in Northeast Ohio. The lake also supports jobs and recreation. Lake Erie is at the center of ongoing discussions between both the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Design work for Gorge Dam removal may start this year
Cuyahoga Falls News-Press, 3/27/2016
While work may begin this year on the design phase for the removal of the Gorge Dam, other steps must be taken for the $70 million-plus project to move forward, according to an Ohio EPA official.
“There are several pieces that need to be lined up for the whole puzzle to be complete,” said Lindey Amer, public information officer for the Ohio EPA’s Northeast District Office. …
Gorge Dam removal on Cuyahoga River between Akron and Cuyahoga Falls is moving forward with federal blessing
Beacon Journal, 3/8/2016
According to an article in the Akron Beacon Journal, the federal government has agreed to cover 65% of the costs associated with the Gorge Dam removal. This amounts to 45.5 million in federal Great Lakes cleanup funds. For the first time in many years, the removal of the Gorge Dam is feasible.
Akron ready to begin three sewer projects including green projects in Northwest Akron, North Hill
Akron Beacon Journal, 2/17/16
The city of Akron is poised to begin three sewer projects including two green sewer overflow projects recently approved by a federal agency.
Photographer Tracks 40-Year Recovery of American Bald Eagle
USA Today, 2/17/16
“John Chaney was a college student in the 1970s when he decided to document the few remaining American bald eagles before their seemingly inevitable extinction. The lower 48 had fewer than 450 mating pairs of bald eagles then. He wondered what a United States of America would be like with no bald eagles.”
Familiar Battle Surfaces Over What To Do With River Muck
Ideastream, 2/4/16
“The Port of Cleveland and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have dredged up old arguments…namely over how to dispose of sediment gathered twice a year from the Cuyahoga River. ”
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rejects Port of Cleveland request to stop open-lake dumping
Crain’s Cleveland Business, 2/3/16
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has rejected the Port of Cleveland’s “effort to protect Lake Erie water quality” by giving the port’s plans for dredge disposal a thumb’s down and electing to continue dumping waste in the lake, the port announced on Wednesday, Feb. 3.”
Removing Gorge Dam on Cuyahoga River between Akron and Cuyahoga Falls could cost about $70 million
Akron Beacon Journal, 9/24/15
“Removing the dam that was built in 1911-1912 would provide a major boost to water quality in the Cuyahoga River”
State agencies teach Akron’s Asian immigrants about health threat from eating fish, rules for catching species
Akron Beacon Journal, 11/2/14
“Eating too many Ohio-caught fish can be harmful to one’s health, according to guidelines from the Ohio EPA. Cast nets cannot be used to catch certain sport fish, like bass, bluegills and sunfish.”
Cuyahoga Valley seeking public input on mountain biking proposal
Akron Beacon Journal, 10/18/14
Asking for input. No word lately on plans for fostering public access to paddling the river.
Ohio EPA says Cuyahoga River sediment must go in disposal facility this year, not Lake Erie
Cleveland Plain Dealer, 4/14/14
Not so fast, ACoE! “Ohio EPA, whose permission is required for open lake dumping, worried the sediment could increase PCB levels in Lake Erie fish.”
Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation Seeking Grant For New Boat Launch Facility
City of Cuyahoga Falls, 3/25/14
FOCR has joined MetroParks and others in supporting the city’s plan to build a launch to make safe access for paddlers.
Friends of the Crooked River has lost an advocate and friend
Akron Beacon Journal, 2/4/14
Obituary for river advocate and longtime FOCR member Marna Lilliedale Becker.
After two years, federal judge approves consent decree in Akron sewer case
Akron Beacon Journal, 1/22/14
The Consent Decree between the City of Akron and the US EPA has finally been approved. The $1.4-billion project to end discharge of raw sewage into the river during heavy rain events is scheduled for completion in 2027.
Army Corps of Engineers says Cuyahoga River sediment clean enough to dump into Lake Erie; OEPA disagrees
Cleveland Plain Dealer, 1/8/14
The river’s cleaner now, so let’s sludge-up a Great Lake!
Articles 2008 – 2013
City of Cuyahoga Falls, 10/17/13: Cuyahoga River shows progress after dam removal
Two months on, the river’s healing, and construction of a paddlers’ takeout above the Sheraton Section is undergoing.
Akron Beacon Journal, 9/30/13: Oregon law professor awaiting additional information on Akron’s overflowing combined sewers
The judge in the CSO case has retained an expert from Oregon to review the consent decree between Akron and the two EPAs. The expert has requested more info from the parties. Don’t expect the law professor to report before mid-November, and don’t expect the judge to rule in the year 2013.
Cleveland Plain Dealer, 9/28/13: Cuyahoga River flowing with a new crop of paddlers: How to join them
Paddling the Cuyahoga is the way to go! “‘It’s becoming a real river again,’ says Elaine Marsh, a principal with the advocacy group Friends of Crooked River.”
Akron Beacon Journal, 9/19/13: Corps of Engineers is starting new review of Gorge Dam and how it might be removed
The Corps will put together a comprehensive report for removal of The Big One in 18 months. The report will cover an assessment of flow patterns post-dam, as well as various plans for removing the dam.
Akron Beacon Journal, 8/28/13: Bob Dyer: Dual dam demolition documented
The City of Cuyahoga Falls put together a way-cool time-lapse video from the Dam Cam. Check it out on YouTube.
Akron Beacon Journal, 8/20/13: Falls official warns of river dangers with dam cleanup
It’s not legal to paddle the dam removal section just yet; and if you’re thinking of removing artifacts from the riverbed…you risk prosecution.
Akron Beacon Journal, 9/20/13: Giant sewer tunnel planned for Akron to shrink from 27 feet in diameter to 20
Furthering Akron’s plans for removing CSOs, the design for one sewer tunnel is changing, because of currently available technology. Despite the fact that the Consent Decree has not yet been approved, Akron is moving forward with plans as though it had been approved.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 9/18/13: Battle plan is urged in effort to kill off invasive Asian carp
A Senate hearing was held recently. The invasive species has been moving up the Ohio River and a bipartisan group is considering requiring the Army Corps of Engineers to develop a plan to halt the carp infiltration into the Great Lakes.
Akron Beacon Journal, 8/5/13: Judge advocate
The Beacon Journal is suggesting that Judge John Adams should accelerate the process of approving the consent decree, thus approving Akron’s plans for removing CSOs.
Akron Beacon Journal, 7/31/13: Dam removal begins in Cuyahoga Falls
After many weeks of weather-related delays, RiverWorks began removing the Sheraton Dam on July 30. You can see the work proceeding in real time by visiting the Dam Cam.
Akron Beacon Journal, 7/23/13: Work at home
The City of Akron will impose a local hiring requirement in its multi-year effort to eliminate its CSOs, to ensure that a substantial portion of the $800-million project contributes to local job growth.
Akron Beacon Journal, 7/14/13: Portage County is No. 1 in Ohio for injecting drilling wastes
Over 2 million gallons of fracking waste was injected into 15 wells in Portage County in 2012.
Akron Beacon Journal, 7/1/13: More sewer work coming to Akron
The City of Akron will begin seeking bids for a $10-million project in its multi-year effort to eliminate its CSOs. This improvement is scheduled to be completed by October 2014.
6/27/13: Cuyahoga Falls Dam Cam
Check out the work on the Sheraton Dam with this real-time video. (Whoops. As of 7/4/13, the Dam Cam will be down until water conditions allow the work to commence. Check back here for updates.)
WKSU, 6/25/13: Cuyahoga Valley National Park takes dirty water online
CVNP is posting a “nowcast,” predicting water quality in the Cuyahoga.
WKSU, 6/24/13: Dam Removal – First Cut To Be Made
The deconstruction of the Sheraton Dam is scheduled to begin Wednesday, June 26.
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, 5/30/13: Revitalizing Local Waterfront Economies: The Great Lakes Legacy Act (video) (hardcopy)
The Great Lakes Legacy Act is a major impetus we use for dam removal, especially looking forward to the Ohio Edison Dam removal.
WKSU, 5/16/13: Peninsula celebrates the Cuyahoga River with a challenge to capture its beauty and recall its worst disaster
Akron Beacon Journal, 5/13/13: RiverDay 2013 to tout Cuyahoga River’s beauty, benefits with 26 events
Akron Beacon Journal, 4/22/13: Gorge Dam holds back more than water; sediment removal is a big task
Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/15/13: National Park Service program promotes paddling on Lake Erie, Cuyahoga River as a way to connect with nature
West Side Leader, 2/2/13: Falls’ creek heading for restoration
Kelsey Brook, a Cuyahoga tributary, will receive stream-bank and riparian restoration.
Akron Beacon Journal, 2/1/13: Elaine Marsh’s Letter to the Editor
FOCR’s Conservation Director also urges approval of Akron’s CSO plan.
West Side Leader, 1/24/13: Two Cuyahoga River dams slated for demolition
A report from the first public meeting re. dam removal.
Akron Beacon Journal, 1/14/13: The Big Dig.
The BJ urges approval of Akron’s CSO plan.
Akron Beacon Journal, 1/11/13: Akron plans to dig massive tunnel for sewer system
RiverWorks: Mink at Laurel Creek
EnviroScience, the coalition which will be performing the 2013 dam removal in Cuyahoga Falls, shows a video of a mink in a Tinker’s Creek tributary following a restoration project.
Cleveland Plain Dealer, 12/3/08: Traces of medicines found at Tinkers Creek
The USGS found pharmaceuticals in the waters of Tinker’s Creek, the largest tributary of the Cuyahoga, which may help to explain the lower occurrence of fish species than expected from standard measurements of water quality.
See a copy of the USGS presentation from their study here.