Upcoming Events & Cleanups

CLEANUP OPPORTUNITIES

FRIENDS OF THE CROOKED RIVER
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TRASHFISH_CLE
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Paddle the River
Cuyahoga Valley Adventures
June 13th 5:30pm to 8:30pm
August - TBD
September 13th 9am - 1pm

Burning River Adventures
May 17th Northeast Ohio Adventure Fest
Aug TBD
September 29 with SSWCD - 12 -3pm

MOUNTAIN WATERSHED ASSOC
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Conservation News & Updates

AMERICAN WHITEWATER

CUYAHOGA RIVER

Latest Information on the removal of the last dam on the Cuyahoga River

Rivers are lifelines—for ecosystems, economies, and communities. Yet in the United States, less than 1% of rivers still flow freely, including Ohio’s own Cuyahoga River, a waterway long impacted by industrial use and now part of a national effort to restore Areas of Concern.

The threats are real: damming, dredging, diversion, and poor land management degrade water quality, disrupt habitats, and sever vital migration corridors. These impacts aren't just environmental—they affect drinking water, flood resilience, public health, and local recreation economies.

We can’t take healthy rivers for granted. A wild, clean river provides more than beauty—it offers protection, opportunity, and a future. River conservation is not optional; it’s essential.

We advocate for policies and projects that restore flow, remove outdated dams, and protect river corridors. But lasting impact requires collective effort. We urge you to learn, engage, and act—so that future generations inherit rivers that run clean, wild, and free.

Gorge Dam Removal

The final dam on the Cuyahoga River is slated for removal, thanks to funding from the Environmental Protection Agency. Described by Friends of the Crooked River as the “single greatest unresolved water quality problem on the Cuyahoga,” the 60-foot-tall, 400-foot-wide dam is expected to be removed by 2029.

This long-awaited step will restore natural flow, improve water quality, and mark a major milestone in the river’s ongoing recovery—transforming a once-symbolic site of pollution into a thriving, free-flowing ecosystem.

New River Gorge Designated National Park

In December 2020, New River Gorge in Fayette and Raleigh counties, West Virginia, was designated the 63rd U.S. National Park and Preserve as part of a year-end congressional funding bill.

The designation highlights the area’s scenic beauty, recreational value, and ecological importance. Spanning over 72,000 acres, the Gorge is a haven for climbers, paddlers, hikers, and wildlife, centered around one of the oldest rivers in North America.

This change boosts national recognition while supporting conservation efforts and sustainable tourism in southern West Virginia.