Restoring the Cuyahoga River

Restoring the Cuyahoga River. . , The 100-mile Cuyahoga River is modest in length but mighty in its impact on the environmental movement. Like many others, the river became badly polluted by industrial waste and sewage. Floating debris and chemicals caught fire near its mouth in Cleveland many times starting in 1868., The fire on June 22, 1969, finally caught the nation's attention. The outcry stimulated new environmental laws and enforcement agencies. Because of the resulting Clean Water Act 91972), rivers throughout the nation are better protected. More funding allows communities to provide residents with safe, clean water., Ironically, local pride in the Cuyahoga's comeback is often celebrated with "burning river" events and products., [Caption:] , The 1969 fire was put out before the press arrived. The photo (left shows a larger fire in 1952., After the 1969 fire, Cleveland Mayor Carl Stokes drew media attention to water quality problems., The river's health is monitored by sampling fish populations (above) and testing the water., Local residents plant native trees to restore floodplain forests. Forests cool, slow, and filter water flowing into the river., Now that the Cuyahoga is healthier, kayakers and other boaters are enjoying the river.