Grant, J. (2022, November 17). How a Burning River Helped Create the Clean Water Act. The Allegheny Front. https://www.alleghenyfront.org/how-a-burning-river-helped-create-the-clean-water-act/

The Revival of the Cuyahoga River

Cleveland has made great progress in reviving its waterways since the Cuyahoga River last caught fire 55 years ago. The remediation has happened through the implementation of environmental engineering and improved environmental policy. The addition of rain gardens and bioretentions to Cleveland's infrastructure has taken some stress off of it. Bioretentions and rain gardens have played a key role in filtering out toxins from the rainwater before it makes it to the waterways. Our green infrastructure gardening series focuses on maintaining bioretentions all throughout the Cleveland Metroparks. Rain gardens are a great way for individuals to have a large impact on their watershed. Rain gardens can be easy to make and can help the ecosystem by planting native plants inside them.

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Bass, H. (2022, December 22). Gardening For Rainwater: Creating a Rain Garden | Save Tarrant Water. Save Tarrant Water. https://savetarrantwater.com/creating-a-rain-garden/

Lowering the levels of toxins in the Cuyahoga was hard since it's a very industrialized river, but the implementation of the Clean Water Act in 1972 held the factories on the river accountable for their toxic discharge. Dam removals have helped restore the aquatic ecosystem. By allowing the Cuyahoga to return to its natural state, it will only start to become a healthier river over time.

Dredging is a common practice to cut back on river pollution and often takes place in the Cuyahoga River. Dredging comes with the dilemma of finding an appropriate place to put dredged material after it's been excavated. In our News section below, there's a link that talks about a facility in Lorain, Ohio that takes the dredged material and turns it into topsoil. New innovative ideas like this will only help turn Northeast Ohio waterways into pristine ecosystems.

Ganic, E., & Ganic, E. (2024, April 24). Cleveland Harbor dredging about to begin. Dredging Today. https://www.dredgingtoday.com/2024/04/24/cleveland-harbor-dredging-about-to-begin/

The Cleveland Metroparks host boat tours of the Cuyahoga River on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On these tours historical interpreter Doug Kusak or historian/archivist Judy MacKeigan talk about famous fires on the river, bridges, cargo ships, area geography, history, watersheds, trails, industry, reclamation, and so much more.

This is a great opportunity to learn about the Cuyahoga River's rich past and receive (S)upplemental hours. For those volunteers who have acheived the level of WVP Certified Steward, you can join us on a very special WVP only tour on August 29th!

Kind regards,

Jack Conley

Natural Resources Intern

Happenings

WVP Green Infrastructure Gardening Series

Jul 14, 2024, Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

WVP Opportunities

Key

(L)earning: These events include talks, workshops, and training sessions.
(M)onitoring: These events include water quality testing through chemistry and macroinvertebrate monitoring.
(R)estoration: These events include bioretention clean-ups, tree plantings, invasive plant removal, etc.
(O)utreach: These events are used to spread awareness of the Watershed Volunteer Program and general watershed health.

(R) Green Infrastructure Gardening Series*

Sun, Jul 28th , 9 - 11 a.m. @ Bear Parking Lot, Brookside Reservation

(R) Work Session: Invasive Shrub Removal

Fri, Aug 2, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ North Chagrin Nature Center

(R) Green Infrastructure Gardening Series*

Sun, Aug 4, 9 - 11 a.m. @ Wildwood, Euclid Creek Reservation

(R) Acacia Stewardship Activities

Fri, Aug 9, 5:30 - 8 p.m. @ Acacia Reservation Trailhead

(R) Work Session: Invasive Cattail Removal

Wed, Aug 14, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Lake Isaac, Big Creek Reservation

(R) Acacia Stewardship Activities

Tue, Aug 20, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ Acacia Reservation Trailhead

(L) 2024 Midwest Beaver Summit

Wed, Aug 28, 12 - 4 p.m. @ Upland Classroom, Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(L) Cuyahoga by Boat Certified Steward Tour

Thu, Aug 29, 6:30 - 9 p.m. @ Merwin's Wharf, Lakefront Reservation

WVP volunteers, please log into Volgistics to register for primary events.

*Open to the public. Click Here or Email us for the registration link.

View Event Details

WVP Cattail Crew

Jul 19, 2024, Fowles Marsh, Big Creek Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Opportunities With Our Partners

(S) Tinker's Creek Watershed Partners Park Advocacy Night

Wed, Jul 24 @ 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Rockefeller Greenhouse, 750 E 88th St, Cleveland

This is an opportunity to shape new park policy in the city of Cleveland! Includes a presentation with the City of Cleveland to develop a streamlined resident park project approval process and Friends of Group agreement.

Dinner is provided.

More Details and Registration

(S) National Park Service Invasive Plant Removal

Thu, Jul 25, 1 - 3:30 p.m. (Must register for location)

Get involved at Cuyahoga Valley National Park by removing invasive plants in order to help improve habitat for native plants and wildlife.

More Details and Registration

Park Volunteer Day with Tinker's Creek Watershed Partners

Sat, Jul 27 from 9 - 11 a.m. @ Various Sites

There are three different sites to choose from: Roberto Clemente, BARRiO BOY Community Garden, and Artha Woods Park

For More Details

(S) National Park Service Invasive Plant Removal

Thu, Aug 8, 1 - 3:30 p.m. (Must register for location)

Get involved at Cuyahoga Valley National Park by removing invasive plants in order to help improve habitat for native plants and wildlife.

More Details and Registration Here

(S) Ohio Sea Grant Lake Erie Awareness Day

Thu, Aug 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. @ Put-In-Bay

Spend the day touring South Bass island while learning about Ohio's greatest water resource and visiting education stations to learn about island history, native plants and animals, the dangers of plastic pollution, and boating safety.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Doan Brook Watershed Tree Planting and Invasive Species Removal

Sat, Aug 10, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. @ Fairhill Rd

Join Doan Brook Partnership for a native tree planting and invasive plant removal to improve habitat for native plants and wildlife.

More Details and Registration Here

(S) Cuyahoga River by Boat

Tues & Thurs, throughout the summer, 4-6pm and 7-9pm. @ Merwin's Wharf

Historical Interpreter Doug Kusak or Historian/Archivist Judy MacKeigan will be your guide on a 2-hour Cuyahoga River boat ride. Enjoy a river view while we discuss famous fires on the river, bridges, cargo ships, area geography, history, watersheds, trails, industry, reclamation, and so much more.

More Details and Registration Here

More (S)upplemental events can be found on our website here.

*WVP volunteers can submit supplemental hours in Volgistics under (S) Watershed Partner Event Contact us if you need assistance reporting any hours.