Gorge Dam Removal

By 2029, the Gorge Dam—the final remaining dam on the Cuyahoga River—is set to be removed, marking a historic milestone in the river’s decades-long restoration. The removal is made possible by a $1 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, part of a broader effort to restore the health of one of America’s most iconic rivers.

Originally built in 1913 by Northern Traction & Light, the Gorge Dam operated as a hydroelectric power plant until 1958, when its role shifted to supporting a nearby coal-fired power plant by supplying cooling water. That plant shut down in 1992, but the dam—and the ecological damage it caused—remained. For decades, it has blocked fish passage, degraded water quality, and interrupted the natural flow of the river.

Now, more than a century after its construction, the dam’s removal will reconnect more than 80 miles of free-flowing river, allow native species to return, improve water quality, and restore the natural ecology of the Gorge Metro Park area. In addition to these environmental benefits, the restored river will offer expanded opportunities for kayaking, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing—enhancing both public access and community engagement with the Cuyahoga.

The demolition of the Gorge Dam is more than an infrastructure project—it’s a powerful symbol of recovery, renewal, and what’s possible when environmental priorities and public investment come together for lasting impact.