Cuyahoga, OH

Damn that Dam!

Damn that Dam!
Photo of the Ohio Edison Dam and putin by Matt Muir (KHCC) taken 3/9/02 @ 470 cfs

Gauge Information

River Description

Shuttle Directions
There are multiple options for setting shuttle on this section. I prefer to park at the take out and hike the High Bridge Trail to the dam. Other than the steps at the beginning, it’s mostly flat for the ~1 mile hike, but I’m carrying a Jackson so your opinion may differ!

Directions to the putin(s):
Take OH Rt. 8 to Howe Ave. exit and head west toward the Ohio Edison power plant (you will pass it on your right). At the light turn right on Front Street. If you want to run the falls, cross the bridge and turn left at the next light into the Gorge Metro Park parking lot. Follow the trail to the observation deck.

If you don’t want to run the falls, turn left into the small parking lot before the bridge. This is the beginning of the High Bridge trail that will take you to the dam. Just pass the dam on your right (~100 feet) will be a trail to the river.

Another putin option is to stay on Howe Ave and go straight at the first light (Front St.). Howe Ave turns into E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave. at this light, go past Swensons, turn right at the next light on Clifton Ave. Take Clifton until it dead ends into Riverside Dr. Street parking is available on Clifton Ave. walk to the intersection of Clifton/Riverside and turn right. Look to your left for the trail to the dam. The trail can be steep and muddy near the end and puts you on the High Bridge Trail at the top of the dam.

Directions from the putin(s) to the takeout:
From the light at Howe and Front Streets, proceed SW past Swensons on E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave. for ~1.3 miles. Turn right at the light on Howard St. (Liberty Harley on your left) and head north. At the second street turn left on Uhler Ave (west). Go ~0.5 mile to the intersection of Cuyahoga Street (4-way stop) and turn right. Proceed ~0.3 mile to the park entrance for the Chuckery Area, turn right. Drive all the way to the last parking lot. From this parking lot you can take either the High Bridge Trail to the putin or the short trail to the river at Peck Road hole. The river side trail can be used to hike up to State Road (blue suspension bridge) for park and play options.

River Issues

A permit is required for accessing this section of the river. Metro Parks Serving Summit County requires one valid permit (annual issuance) in each group of 6 paddlers. A PDF version of the kayaking permit can be downloaded from here and you can fax your completed permit to (330-867-4711) for approval and issuance.

An application for a new hydroelectric license has been filed with FERC (Docket No. P-12484) by Advanced Hydro Solutions for an electric generating project that includes the construction of a new powerhouse and penstock on MetroParks property.

"The hydroelectric project proposes to dewater the 800 feet section of the river from the dam to Butterfly Rock"

As proposed, this licensing application is in direct opposition to the river restoration goals/efforts of Ohio EPA, MetroParks Serving Summit County, Friends of the Crooked River, local paddling groups and many others. The Cuyahoga River has been the butt of many jokes over the years (catching on fire, etc.), but this dam issue is no joke. If this license is approved then the numerous projects totaling tens of millions of dollars over the last 20 years to improve water quality in this watershed will be for not. In addition, the proposed future projects for reducing combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges into the gorge and watershed will escalate in cost. But most importantly, any chance for removal of the Ohio Edison dam will be lost and the paddling community will miss an opportunity to open up 2 miles of 100 fpm whitewater in an urban surrounding.

This section of the Cuyahoga River starts at the base of the Ohio Edison Dam and extends ~1 mile to the Cascade Valley Park making up the lower gorge. The upper gorge actually begins at the Class IV-V Sheraton section and continues below the dam pool created by the Ohio Edison Dam which has submerged many drops/rapids.

"Based on photos obtained from the Cuyahoga Falls Historical Society, sveral Class III-IV rapids are located below the dam pool"

The Ohio Edison dam is a 60-foot monstrosity which, since the early 20th century, has formed a pool and flooded the rapids that Cuyahoga Falls, OH was named for. The dam has had no power-generating raison d'etre for almost 30 years; yet, it remains as a hideous example of man's inhumanity to nature. Unfortunately, a new license is being evaluated, so you can either wait...and hope for a breaching flood, or get in your boat and paddle this gem. Paddlers can help out by using this section of the gorge to raise public awareness for our sport and participate in the upcoming recreational use study. This recreational use study is required as part of the licensing process and will focus on data from the proposed 800’ dewatered area from the dam to below Butterfly Rock. Check back here for details, but in the meantime log your trip information for future reference.

"Beta on proposed 800' dewatered section that is the focus of the recreational use study"

River Beta

This is a shallow river underlain by shale/sandstone layers which create ledge drops, numerous surfing waves, and foot entrapment hazards. Eddies can be scare in some sections. The main hazards are strainers which can come and go after rain events and water quality which can degrade during heavy precipitation due to several CSO discharges in the watershed. In the 4 years I’ve been paddling this section, I’ve yet to see the CSOs in the gorge discharging.

This is a fun section that offers little to no warm up and a playful set of surfing waves when it’s running (usually during Spring, and after big rains). The posted minimum varies within each section of the gorge and may apply more to the study area. The real fun begins about 600-800 cfs when this section is Class III-, but at 1000 cfs it begins to get that bigwater feel. Once the level reaches 1200 cfs, the river gets a push to it and the rating increases to Class IV-; so bring your ‘A’ game to handle the fast flow below the dam. 2000 cfs and above is “boat losin’ levels” so you better be sure of your skills.

There are currently two put in locations based upon your fun factor. If you want to run the falls (original Cuyahoga Falls namesake) the put in is on river right, below the observation deck. The trail (if you can call it that) to the river is through the narrow opening in the rocks. The trail is steep down to the shale ledge at the top of the falls.

"Putin trail below the observation deck. Flow at 1550 cfs on AHS gage"

The 8-foot sloping ledge leads into a large eddy which can accumulate a fair amount of trash. Once in the eddy, ferry over to river left and into the main flow. You want to be left of center as you enter the first rapid (Poop Chute) since the right side is shallow. A large eddy is on your left after you punch through this first hole. This eddy is the alternate put in for those who don’t want to run the falls.

Depending on water levels a few waves are present below the alternate put in. The “No Name” rapid seems to stay present even at very low flows (<400 cfs). It has limited eddy service from both sides.

As the river bends, it is mostly quick water with several eddy’s on the left before the largest rapid on this section. Butterfly Rock is a river-wide hole that is trashy and has caused some good paddlers to swim, so pick your lines carefully. At lower levels (<700 cfs) a 1 o’clock angle with a boof over the left center line should clear you of the hole. Otherwise, hug the right side of Butterfly Rock and stay left to keep from getting surfed in the hole. The sneak route is to the left of Butterfly Rock, but it can be shallow.

"View of Butterfly Rock from Gorge Trail on river right. The proposed hydro project may eliminate or drastically alter this rapid during construction/operation of the Power House"

The proposed hydroelectric plant will be constructed on river left of Butterfly Rock. The applicant proposes to dewater the river channel from the dam to this point (800’) for power generation at flows between 50 and 550 cfs. Should this license be granted, then the focus will be to request that the applicant create a whitewater feature in the tailrace discharge that will be present at all power production flow rates, as well as securing a release schedule during the license period.

After the pool below Butterfly Rock, up to 4 small ledges on river left create some decent surfing waves.

"Overview of the river section between Butterfly Rock and the surfing wave below Matt's Pin rock (~200 yards)"

Its best to run down the left side as an eddy is usually available after each ledge. The last ledge feeds into a large rock (Matt’s Pin rock) that has a narrow passage on the left which leads into a pourover.

"View of Matt's Pin rock and the current log blocking the left side"

This spot will catch wood and can be sketchy so a safer line is toward right center. At this time, a large river-wide strainer begins at this rock and extends almost to the center of the river. There is a wide open route around the river right side of this strainer.

After this large rock on the left, the river narrows and a decent surf wave forms in the center channel. This wave needs to be caught on the fly as eddy service is limited. The next feature is a small boulder garden that is flanked on the left by a large section of the former steel penstock and another tree/strainer on the right. This section of penstock is about 10 feet long and parallel to the flow, so stay clear since it acts like a sieve at higher flows. There is a clear line down the center between the penstock and the tree, or at lower flows the tree can snuck on river right.

About 50 yards after passing the steel penstock, three successive waves known as the 3 Bears can show up depending on the water level. If the water levels are above 600 cfs (AHS), then the rock shelf on river left will be sufficiently submerged to provide an eddy, otherwise the river right eddy’s can be used for additional service. Papa Bear always seems to be present, and varies from a steep green wave to a foam pile. Next up is Mama Bear which starts to get good at 650 cfs or so. It is the widest and most retentive of the 3 Bears.

"Erik surfing Mama Bear at 630 cfs (AHS gage)"

Baby Bear only comes around for play when the level goes above 800 cfs. Immediately after the 3 Bears are two large rocks on river left that create a nice eddy line to practice ferries and stern squirts/bow stalls.

As you approach the blue suspension bridge (State Road), work your way to the river left side to get a view of the S-Turn below the bridge. There is an underground sewer line that passes below the river at the beginning of this rapid and a sewer manhole sticks out of the water on river left. Make sure that you DO NOT take the channel left of the sewer manhole below the bridge since it is a sieve fest; and at levels above 1100 cfs the flow wants to push you in there.

"Left channel under blue Suspension Bridge (State Rd.) and the sieve fest awaiting the unwary"

Stay right of the manhole and try to catch the pourover/wave feature on the fly for a surf. As the river turns back to the left, there are 2 small eddy’s on river right that you can use to surf to few waves at the end of the S-Turn. These waves are fast and offer up good rides at most levels.

Next up is one of the CSO pumping stations (#33) on river left which you will smell, but it rarely runs. There is usually a decent wave here that needs to be caught on the fly. About 50 feet past CSO#33 is a decent spinning spot on the right known as Hilarities Wave with excellent eddy service on river right.

"Hilarity Wave - the center portion is steep but can be tough to get on (1100 cfs on USGS and 970 cfs on AHS gage)"

Things slow down after this point and there is not much left except 2 large holes before the takeout. As you approach the island, the left channel will be the easiest and is read and run. The right channel is a slide that leads into a river-wide hole that is sticky and log choked on the right. There is also a tree/strainer on the river right bank parallel to the flow and at the base of this slide. There is an eddy on the left at the top of the slide that allows you to boat scout the slide for any additional wood.

"View of the right side of the island showing some of the wood near the base of the slide. The left side of this slide is open and the hole can be punched on the left (770 cfs on the AHS gage)"

Two large trees fell into this slide and one is supported by a branch in the center of the slide – stay left of this branch. The seam in the slide leads into the meaty part of the wave so stay left. You want plenty of speed before you hit the bottom since the slide is shallow and tends to slow you down and set you up for a beating.

At flows around 950 cfs, a sweet surfing wave forms ~50 feet below the base of the slide. This wave has been the one of the better ones and excellent eddy service available on the surfers left warrants some time at this spot.

Just downstream from the island is Peck Road hole which is a ledge drop. The former tree on river right has washed downstream and is no longer in play at this spot. Peck Road hole can be used as a park and play spot at all flow levels.

"Peck Road hole at a decent level of 110 cfs on USGS and 970 cfs on AHS gage"

It can be caught on the fly or from eddy’s on both sides of the river. I think the best levels for playing at Peck Road are between 500 and 900 cfs. I’ve played here at 1100 cfs, but it gets mean above this level; your mileage may vary. The river right side is the steepest part and can be a green wave at certain levels. The center is a foamy hole that wants to side surf you into the steep portion on river right. The river left side is the most gentle at all levels. At levels above 2500 cfs, everything washes out except the center hole.

Just down stream is a bench on river left and the takeout is 100 yards down stream of this bench. This next 100 yards holds a few pourovers, the Kings Wave and the 3 Queens.

Other related nearby streams:
Upper Gorge (Class V)
Lower Cuyahoga (Class I-II)
Tinker's Creek (Class IV)

Conservation Organization: check out the Friends of the Crooked River, who've been working on cleaning up the Cuyahoga and educating the public for 11 years.