EPA resumes Sediment Cleanup Project of Cuyahoga River
In early March, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) resumed cleanup of the Cuyahoga River in Gorge Metro Park in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Dredging was paused during the winter due to below-freezing temperatures. This project addresses polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), oil, grease and various heavy metals, including cadmium and lead in the sediment trapped in the dam pool upstream of the Gorge Dam.
Material dredged from the dam pool is transported via pipeline to a specially constructed placement area two miles downstream for stabilization and safe storage. During the winter dredging pause, crews tested the methods used to help hold contaminated sediment in place to ensure the stabilized material meets strength requirements for final placement.
