Gauge Description:

Past references suggest: "This section is pretty much always running though it gets scrapy in the summer. Though there's no maximum runnability level, it's too big for novices above 2000 cfs."

Supplemental flow is provided by the Akron waste water treatment plant. The plant discharges treated sewage amounting to about 90 million gallons/day, or 140 cfs (Ohio EPA, see: Final report without appendices, p 44).

As mentioned, Akron and other municipalities participate in a common practice of discharging treated sewage in to the river. However, during times of rain, some of these sewage systems service both storm water and sanitary sewage. When the systems cannot handle the additional flow, the possibility exists where the overflow of the combined sewer systems can dump a mix of storm water and untreated sewage into the river.

Despite this, the situation is improving by considerable investment into the sewage systems. In-depth reports had been issued by the Ohio EPA (mentioned above), and USGS, addressing the water quality of the Lower Cuyahoga. Due to water quality variation, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park discourages, but does not prohibit canoeing/kayaking. Members of Keelhaulers canoe club and other individuals have had organized trips down this and other sections of the river.