Politics & Government

Cuyahoga Falls Dam Demolition Starting This Week (Weather Permitting)

The first cut will take place from a floating barge at the Sheraton Mill Dam.

If all goes to plan, the first cut into the Sheraton Mill Dam will take place on Wednesday around noon.

The construction zone for the removal of the Sheraton Mill and LeFever Powerhouse Dams began last week, but demolition was postponed due to high water levels and inclement weather.  

Demolition equipment, including a floating barge, has been set up in the river, said Cuyahoga Falls Service Director Valerie Wax Carr.

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"Much of the equipment will be placed on the floating barge to allow for demolition," said Carr.

The Cuyahoga River has been shut down and is off limits to the public from Riverfront Park to Prospect Bridge during the demolition period.

Find out what's happening in Cuyahoga Fallswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Sheraton dam will be demolished first, with the LeFever Powerhouse Dam scheduled for demolition in July, said Carr.

In July of 2012, the city selected RiverWorks as the design-build project team.  RiverWorks is comprised of restoration biologists, engineers and construction specialists that have worked in partnership since 2007 in waterway projects.

The RiverWorks team collaboration includes Enviroscience, GPD Engineering, RiverReach Construction, along with the local Sheraton Hotel owner Tom Dillon, as a senior advisor on the project.

The City received a $1 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for this project, said Cuyahoga Falls Engineer Tony Demasi.

The Samira dam was built in 1914 to supply power for the Walsh Paper Company.  The Sheraton Dam was built between 1914 and 1918 for the Vaughn Machinery Company for use in the production of steel, rubber, copper and clay products.

Live streaming of the demolition can be seen on the city’s "Dam Cam" at www.cityofcf.com


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