Free the Falls

What happens when a river is finally allowed to run free?     In this episode of Free the Falls, Mike and Elaine speak with environmental journalist and author Tara Lohan about her new book, “Undammed: Freeing Rivers and Bringing Communities to Life.” Through stories gathered from bodies of water and communities across the country — including the Cuyahoga River — Lohan explores what happens when d...

Winter is over, spring ephemerals are blooming and dredging on the Cuyahoga River at Gorge Metro Park has resumed, so naturally, it’s time for a community update! Mike and Elaine share details about the upcoming Free the Falls Public Progress Report on Tuesday, April 28 at the Akron-Summit County Public Library – Main Library (60 S. High St., Akron). We hope to see you there!  For more information...

Why is milk the worst, and what can “tighty whities” teach us about soil health? Find out with City of Akron Watershed Superintendent Jessica Glowczewski!  Clean drinking water doesn’t start at the tap – it starts miles upstream. Jessica’s work stretches far beyond the treatment plant, across thousands of acres of forests, farms and streams in the Upper Cuyahoga River watershed.  We dig into the h...

It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it.     In this episode, Mike and Elaine talk with Project Manager Charlie Stein of Sevenson Environmental Services, the company responsible for dredging contaminated sediment as part of the Free the Falls dam removal project on the Cuyahoga River.  Charlie walks us through how nearly one million cubic yards of sediment are being dredged, pumped, sorted an...

An engineer who talks to humans instead of just blueprints? That’s Heather Ullinger.  You may have seen City of Akron Senior Engineer Heather Ullinger at a Free the Falls public meeting or heard her name in the news covering the city’s major water-related projects. However you know her, you’re in for a treat when you tune in to this episode.   Heather talks about how she found her way into enginee...

In this episode, Mike and Elaine are joined by Jennifer Grieser, Cleveland Metroparks director of natural resources and chair of the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern (AOC) Advisory Committee. The Cuyahoga River AOC is comprised of the lower 46.5 miles of the Cuyahoga River, including all the tributaries that drain to that section of river and the adjacent Lake Erie shoreline and its direct tributari...

Is it true that it takes two really good mechanical engineers to make one average civil engineer? Once you sit down with Pat Gsellman, you’ll agree the answer is no. In this episode, Mike and Elaine chat with Pat about his journey from nature-loving kid to civil engineering leader behind Akron’s Waterways Renewed program. Discover how innovation, collaboration and a deep love for clean water trans...

Mike and Elaine reflect on years of grassroots advocacy, collaborative river restoration and environmental stewardship rooted in personal passion and long-term vision. Along the way, hear how a kitchen-table brainstorming session that started with “fat chance” evolved into a decades-long campaign to remove the Gorge Dam — because sometimes, big ideas start small.  You’ll also find out how Elaine a...

After a period of quiet progress, big things are happening with the Free the Falls project! In this episode, Mike and Elaine share exciting news about the upcoming public meeting on Monday, May 19, marking the official start of sediment removal from behind the Gorge Dam. Hear what’s next for the project, who will be at the meeting – including local leaders and key partners – and why this moment is...

Nothing says “surprise” like learning the United States Geological Survey (USGS) is on its way to help! That’s right — the USGS is big on fish research, and that research extends to the Gorge Dam. In this episode, Mike and Elaine catch up with USGS Research Biologist Dr. Matthew Acre (Matt) and discuss the fascinating ways fish respond to environmental cues. Matt shares insights from his research...

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) isn’t like those other state EPAs, they’re a cool state EPA. After all, they helped Ohio become a leader in water quality assessment! Mike and Elaine are joined by special guest Bill Zaweski, Ohio EPA environmental supervisor of the Division of Surface Water. Bill explains why water should have integrity and how the Gorge Dam compromises the Cuyahoga Rive...

In our premier episode, cohosts Mike and Elaine are joined by special guest Lisa King, executive director of Summit Metro Parks. Mike and Elaine recall their first meeting (hint: it involved a dam) and Lisa shares how an undesirable job eventually led to a career with the park district (thanks, dad!). What the heck is a MOAD? Why didn’t the Gorge Dam live up to its dam potential? Why not just let...

Where's our dam host? In Alaska! While he's out exploring the Land of the Midnight Sun, Summit Metro Parks Biologist Jason Whittle shares a sneak peak of what's to come. Free the Falls premieres next month!