One More Dam Meeting Planned Before Demolition Begins

Plans for the city's dams demolition is on track, and officials want to make sure the public is on board when the Sheraton and Samira dams are demolished this coming summer.

Cuyahoga Falls residents are encouraged to attend a meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday to learn more about the importance of the dam removal as well as what it means to the future of the Cuyahoga Falls River. The meeting takes place at the Lion's Lodge, 641 Silver Lake Ave.

"Cuyahoga Falls is excited to have this long awaited project begin to move forward," said Cuyahoga Falls Service Director Valerie Wax Carr in a prepared statement in December.

Benefits to the removal of the low-head dams are two-fold. 

First, the removal means Cuyahoga Falls’ segment of the river would then meet Ohio Water Quality Standards for aquatic life and habitat. The dams negatively impact river systems by serving as barriers to fish migration and reduce fish habitat. They also act as sediment traps and modify water quality.

And second, removal of the dams would allow for kayaking, canoeing and white water rafting. The Cuyahoga Falls Department of Parks and Recreation has hired Colorado-based McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group to do an initial assessment of recreational opportunities for everyone, not just the experts, for kayaking, canoeing and whitewater rafting upstream of the Sheraton dam. 

One meeting to discuss the dam removal had taken place Jan. 16 in the Cuyahoga Falls Library.

In December, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a nationwide permit, which will allow for the removal of the dams. The project will cost just under $1 million and will be paid for by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Check back with Cuyahoga Falls Patch for more news on the dam removal.