A River Renewed

A River Renewed. . The Cuyahoga River is a symbol of what’s possible when people work together for clean water. As an industrial river flowing through Akron and Cleveland, it became internationally famous for its pollution. Today the river is a water trail and the centerpiece of a national park., As water quality improves and wildlife returns, consider how a renewed Cuyahoga could revitalize us. Communities and other partners are turning neglected waterfront into vibrant places to relax and play. Time along the river might reconnect you with nature and loved ones., Caption , In 1969 oil and debris in the river caught fire in an industrial area of Cleveland, north of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It was the last in a series of fires that occurred over the previous 100 years. Nationwide, people began talking about the dirty Cuyahoga River. The fire sparked local and federal action to protect clean water., Look for bald eagles (shown nesting above), beavers (below), and river otters (below left) as you explore the river and its wetlands. These animals were rare or absent for a century or more. Now they are regularly spotted hunting for food and raising their families., Cuyahoga Valley National Park is improving our own stewardship of the river. If you walk south along the Towpath and Valley trails, you will pass the Boston Sanitary Wetland (left). Built in 2010 to replace failing septic systems, it treats waste water from park buildings and provides habitat.