patching...
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Le Fever Dam

Monday, March 4, 2013

Dam Demolition to Start in June

It was announced this past week when the Sheraton and Samira dams will be demolished

It won't be long now until crews start demolishing the dams behind the Sheraton Suites and former Samira restaurant in Cuyahoga Falls. In fact, it was announced this past week that demolition for the Sheraton dam will be June 17-30 and July 1-19 for the Samira dam, according to the Falls News-Press. City officials as well as residents and kayaking entusiasts attended the second of two meetings Feb. 27 to discuss the future of the dams. In December, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a nationwide permit, which will allow for the removal of the dams. The project will cost just under $1 million and will be paid for by the Environmental Protection Agency. Read more about last week's meeting on the Falls News-Press. Why does the city …

crazyriver

4:54 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Let me start by saying that I am one of "those kayakers" and these dams are NOT coming down on our behalf. IF "those kayakers" had that kind of clout, the dams would have been out years ago! The driving force behind the dam removal is improved water quality and I will let the EPA, biologists and fishermen (and women) argue who is right on that point. Paddlers (kayakers, canoeists, SUPs, etc) all …   more ›

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

One More Dam Meeting Planned Before Demolition Begins

A second session to inform the public of the importance of the dam removal will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 Lion's Lodge, 641 Silver Lake Ave.

Plans for the city's dams demolition is on track, and officials want to make sure the public is on board when the Sheraton and Samira dams are demolished this coming summer. Cuyahoga Falls residents are encouraged to attend a meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday to learn more about the importance of the dam removal as well as what it means to the future of the Cuyahoga Falls River. The meeting takes place at the Lion's Lodge, 641 Silver Lake Ave. "Cuyahoga Falls is excited to have this long awaited project begin to move forward," said Cuyahoga Falls Service Director Valerie Wax Carr in a prepared statement in December. Benefits to the removal of the low-head dams are two-fold.  First, the removal means Cuyahoga Falls’ segment of the river would …

John Rogers

2:52 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013

One million dollars for the river, but metro can not find 20 thousand dollars to build the middle school students a bicycle trail along the tracks going through silver lake. Amazing how everyone jumps on the expensive projects and the projects that do not cost that much tend to be ignored.   more ›

Saturday, December 22, 2012

It's Official — Dam Demolition Moving Forward

The Sheraton and Samira dams will be demolished this summer, according to Cuyahoga Falls officials.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a nationwide permit, which will allow for the removal of the low-head dams adjacent to the Sheraton Suites and defunct Samira restaurant, Cuyahoga Falls officials announced Friday. Federal approval came Dec. 12, and officials have been working since then to get the project back on track. "Cuyahoga Falls is excited to have this long awaited project begin to move forward," said Cuyahoga Falls Service Director Valerie Wax Carr in a prepared statement. "The city and its project team, RiverWorks, and the Ohio EPA are finalizing demolition plans. Demolition will begin early summer of 2013, dependent upon weather conditions and water levels." The project will cost just under $1 million, and will be paid…

Comment_arrow

Michael Devis

9:24 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013

With planning efforts under way to remove or modify the Gorge and Brecksville dams in the next several years, removal of the two Cuyahoga Falls dams is critical to the continued restoration of the Cuyahoga River watershed, the EPA reported   more ›

Friday, April 6, 2012

Dam Removal Update: City Restarts Bidding Process Following Lawsuit Settlement, Project Delays Expected

Following last Friday's lawsuit settlement with the Beaver Excavating Company, city engineer Tony Demasi discusses the next steps to get the project back on track.

In light of the recent settlement between Cuyahoga Falls and the Beaver Excavating Company, the completion of the dam removal project has been pushed back past the proposed late-July deadline. Right now, the city is preparing the proper documents for the rebid of the dam removal, said city engineer Tony Demasi. The initial paperwork should be sent out to potential bidders by late April. By mid-May, the city will receive statements of qualifications from the various contractors that will be vying for the lucrative six-figure contract. From there, the city will choose the top three candidate teams which will pitch the city on why they should be selected for the job. Teams will most likely consist of architects, engineers, contractors and …

crazyriver

2:00 pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012

If "beavers" know so much about dams, why didn't they participate in the rebidding process? I think a "thumbs down" on this contractors lawsuit is more appropriate! Considering that the current drought conditions to date have resulted in the lowest consistent river flow many of us have seen (or may ever see), it would have assisted in an expedited deconstruction project. Maybe these drought …   more ›

Friday, March 30, 2012

City Settles Lawsuit With Beaver Excavating Over Dam Removal

The settlement will prevent Cuyahoga Falls from awarding a $1 million contract to RiverReach Construction for the removal of the LeFever and Sheraton Dams. City officials will have to re-bid the project.

Cuyahoga Falls officials settled with Beaver Excavating on Friday, just two days after the Canton-based construction company filed suit against the city.  Per the settlement, the city has agreed to "redo the procurement process," said Cuyahoga Falls Law Director, Paul Janis in a phone interview with Patch on Friday evening. Regarding the process, the "City of Cuyahoga Falls did not have the authority to release this as a design-build project, and the (Ohio Revised Code, Section 153.65) they're relying on does not go into effect until June, said Beaver Excavating contract administrator, Matt Sterling, in an interview last week.  Legally, they shouldn’t be selling a design-build and they should be rebidding it as a design-bid-build project…

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Falls City Council Votes Unanimously to Remove LeFever and Sheraton Dams

Deconstruction will begin this June and should be wrapped up by mid to late July.

It's official.  On Monday night during its regular meeting at the Natatorium, the Cuyahoga Falls City Council voted 11-0 to approve an ordinance that will bring down the LeFever and Sheraton Dams.  The plan will cost $1 million (paid for by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District), potentially create category four or five white water rapids in sections of the Cuyahoga River and restore aquatic ecosystems that have long been impaired and deoxygenated by the dams, said Valerie Wax Carr, the Cuyahoga Falls Director of Public Service last week. Deconstruction is set for June with a completion date of mid to late July, which means the river should be ready for August’s bicentennial celebration,  said city engineer Tony Demasi. The city has …

Steven Lemle

5:09 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013

These dams have outlived there purpose. A free-flowing river will function better, ecollogically. I only wish that those who profited from these dams were made to pay for their removal. Steven prez Little Cuyahoga clean water and conservation.   more ›

Monday, March 26, 2012

Ready for Rapids in Cuyahoga Falls? Dam Removal Decision Coming Tonight

The City Council will meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Natatorium for its regular meeting and will decide whether or not to approve the widely touted dam removal project.

Ready for white water rapids? Last Monday, the Public and Industrial Improvements Committee -- chaired by ward 7 councilman Jerry James -- unanimously approved a motion to finalize plans for the deconstruction of the Sheraton and LeFever Dams. The last step will come tonight when Cuyahga Falls City Council members vote on whether or not to approve the dam removal ordinance. The plan will cost $1 million (paid for by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District), potentially create category four or five white water  rapids in sections of the Cuyahoga River and restore aquatic ecosystems that have long been impaired and deoxygenated by the dams, said Valerie Wax Carr, the Cuyahoga Falls Director of Public Service last week. Deconstruction is …

Stephanie Greene

11:05 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

I think the city should move forward. Studying Environmental Science has shown me how important our local resources are. People that live near the river that are concerned whether or not they can put their canoes or kayaks in to the water from the backyard should stop being so selfish. I could understand if it was their only mode of transportation, but it is not. We have no use for the dams as an…   more ›

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Residents Raise Concerns Over Removal of LeFever Dam

River Estates residents spoke up at Monday night's Cuyahoga Falls City Council Committee meeting to find out how their properties could be affected by the dam removal.

Some folks around town aren’t so enthusiastic about the proposed Cuyahoga River dam deconstruction project that could get the green light by as early as next week. City Council Ready for White Water With Dam Deconstruction During the Cuyahoga Falls City Council committee meeting on Monday night, a handful of residents from the River Estates development voiced their concerns over how their surrounding neighborhood and its recreation opportunities could be affected, particularly with the removal of the LeFever Dam near Samira’s Restaurant. Shannon Carneal, the project manager of RiverReach Construction, said the removal of the dam would drain the man made pool that stretches to Water Works Park. Pontoon boats would most likely be a thing of …

Suey

12:58 pm on Tuesday, May 7, 2013

We just want to know what Klaben is building at the entrance to our neighborhood. I heard it's going to be a canoe livery!!!! Awful lot of money being spent for some canoe storage.   more ›

City Council Ready for White Water With Dam Deconstruction

White-water rapids are expected to be flowing through Cuyahoga Falls when the two-week bicentennial celebration kicks off on August 3.

The Cuyahoga Falls City Council is days away from filing a few new pages in the Summit County history books, and the timing couldn’t be better. On Monday night, the Public and Industrial Improvements Committee -- chaired by ward 7 councilman Jerry James -- unanimously approved a motion to finalize plans for the deconstruction of the Sheraton and LeFever Dams. The last step will come next week when city council members vote on whether or not to approve the dam ordinance.  The plan will cost $1 million (paid for by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District), potentially create category four or five white-water  rapids in sections of the Cuyahoga River and restore aquatic ecosystems that have long been impaired and deoxygenated by the dams, …

Got a Hot Tip?
 
 

Videos