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.

 

 

Other ongoing and upcoming restoration projects

Jaite Mill Remediation

Evaluation and mitigation of contamination and contaminated soils associated with the historic Jaite Paper Mill. Work will involve closures to the Towpath and Valley trails between Boston and Red Lock trailheads.

Picnic Area Restoration

We are restoring 4 under-used picnic areas back to their natural conditions:

• Columbia Run Picnic Area

• Maplewood Picnic Area

• Shady Knoll Picnic Area

• Valley Picnic Area (parking will remain available at this location)

Restoration of these sites is one of the actions identified in the park's 2023 Community Access Plan. This plan aims to protect, preserve, and improve the resources of Cuyahoga Valley, while also seeking efficiencies in park operations.

Stream Restoration at Boston Trailhead

The full scope of work is still being determined. Closures of the Towpath Trail and Boston Trailhead are possible.