Habitat Restoration in Great Lakes Areas of Concern: Cuyahoga River

Located in northeast Ohio, the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern (AOC) is comprised of the lower 46.5 miles of the Cuyahoga River, including all the tributaries that drain to that section of river, and the adjacent Lake Erie shoreline and its tributaries. The Cuyahoga River has a history of heavy industrial use, unmanaged pollution, and notable periodic pollution fires.  As recently as the middle of the last century, the lower Cuyahoga River in Cleveland was used for waste disposal and was choked with debris, oils, sludge, industrial wastes, and sewage, leading to the designation as a Great Lakes Area of Concern (AOC) in 1987.

To address this designation, the 2016 NOAA-GLC partnership funded the engineering and design phase of this restoration project. A new 2019 NOAA-GLC partnership is providing additional funding for the implementation phase which aims to restore 5,000 linear feet of the Cuyahoga River and approximately 60 acres of floodplain habitat with reforestation efforts. Restoration will include the removal of berms and excavation of a new floodplain along the entire 5,000 feet stretch of the Cuyahoga River mainstem. Additionally, in-stream habitat features including rootwads, undercut banks, and rock-riffle structures will be installed to improve habitat and spawning conditions for fish.

Environmental Benefits:

• Restore approximately 5,000 linear feet of the Cuyahoga River and approximately 60 acres of floodplain habitat
• Enhanced fish and wildlife habitat, primarily shallow water fish spawning locations

Community Benefits:

• Increased water-based recreation (kayaking, paddling, wildlife viewing) on Cuyahoga River
• Improved water quality and ecosystem health
• Improved fishing and fish spawning habitats

Economic Benefits:

• Increased recreation, tourism, and sport-fishing opportunities

The following fact sheets and documents provide additional information about the Cuyahoga River project and specific elements of the project.

Fact Sheet
BUI Background
Timeline