Cuyahoga

This is the abandoned First Energy (a.k.a. Ohio Edison, previously Northern Ohio Traction & Light) gorge powerhouse. The current powerhouse (built in 1945) is located on the river left about 0.8 mile downstream from Anchor Rock, and visible from the Front Street Bridge. It was a larger annex to the original powerhouse built in 1912. The original power house was demolished in 1965. It is not known if demolition debris was removed or dumped in the river. The dam pool provided a water supply for the coal fired powerhouse, and a hydroelectric plant downstream from the dam. (Blower, J.M., Korach, R.S. The NOT&L Story, p. 114. Fox Valley Printing Co., S. Elgin, IL, 1966)

Anchor Rock was first incorporated into the Chuckery Dam of the Portage Canal Mfg. Co., then into the Marathon Rubber. Co. dam. Stone wall at left is not part of the dam. It is the bulkhead built by the Marathon Rubber Co. to prevent water from escaping down the old Chuckery Darn. Marathon took power from the west end of the dam.
This photo is looking south at the location of the Chuckery Dam (Portage Canal & Mfg. Co. at Cascade, Ohio) and, later, the Marathon Rubber darn which was built much in the same manner as the Chuckery dam which preceded it. The so-called Anchor Rock was used by both dam builders as the east abutment. Evidence of the masonry tie-in is clearly visible on the rock. Both dams were of wood cribbing filled with stones (upper face was smoothly and tightly planked) with masonry abutments.
The 'part of the dam' seen at left is the wall erected by Marathon to pre- vent water from escaping down the old Chuckery Race. The race (hydraulic) and turbine for Marathon were on the west end of the dam and side of gorge.
As I understand it Marathon's turbine shaft was enclosed in a vertical, tubular, steel housing to the top of the gorge. A steel, spiral stairway was attached to the shaft housing to allow quick access to the turbine at the bottom. - Carl Ehmann June 8, 1998 Canal Historian

Cuyahoga River. Photographs. 1800's. Cuyahoga Falls Library Archives, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

These huge boulders (notice the man sporting a dashing derby near top) sit on the river bed downstream of Anchor rock and upstream of the Big Falls of the Cuyahoga. Best low water route is unknown since it has been completly submerged by the Ohio Edison dam pool for at least 90 years.

Current sneak route is over the top. There is no souse hole to watch for.
The middle gorge offered some white water prior to its drowning.
Once a nice place to take a dip. Now the water is a lot deeper than it looks.
Strairsteps is a series of narrow ledges running straight on. Currently these steps lead only deeper into the abyss.