Restoring the Cuyahoga River and its Valley

Many partners along the 100-mile Cuyahoga River are working toward its recovery. About 26 miles of the river lie within Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Everything that happens upstream impacts the national park. What happens within the national park, impacts everything downstream. The Cuyahoga flows into Lake Erie at Cleveland. As a result, it is part of the world’s largest supply of surface freshwater: the Great Lakes. Water is vital to life. It connects us.

People have been trying to clean up the Cuyahoga since the early 1900s. This work has a special place in the history of the environmental movement, especially the fight for clean water. The most famous—or infamous—chapter was the 1969 fire. Now, we are writing new chapters as we heal our river, its wildlife, and its cities.

Click below to explore the national park's river renewal projects, as well as the history of how conditions have changed.

 

Can the River Support Rare Wildlife?

Teams of scientists are studying whether the Cuyahoga River is healthy enough to support freshwater mussels and lake sturgeon.

Restoring Open Space in the Park

Learn about our work to protect critical resources for the recreational and educational benefit of the visiting public.

Removing Dams

The Brecksville Diversion Dam and Pinery Feeder Dam were removed in 2020. This marks a huge win for the restoration of the Cuyahoga River.

 

Other ongoing and upcoming restoration projects

Jaite Mill Remediation

Picnic Area Restoration

Stream Restoration at Boston Trailhead

 

 

 

Stream Restoration at Station Road

Left image
The condition of a stream near Station Road before it was improved as part of the road removal project.
Credit: NPS / Chris Davis

Right image
The newly improved stream near the same location.
Credit: NPS / Chris Davis

This project realigned a drainage pattern that was established with historic road construction. Stormwater runoff was redirected to an expanded wetland, eliminating discharge previously entering directly into the river.