Rivers and Streams

Watching a broad river meander between fertile floodplains into Lake Erie, we may think rivers represent continuity. The same streams Native Americans and early settlers used for transportation still ferry industrial goods today. But look close. We can see that rivers just as easily represent change. Most of the rivers and streams that flow into the lake are "young" in river-terms, dating their present courses back only to the retreat of the last glacier. Each time a glacier advanced, it played havoc with streams in its path, burying some river valleys and re-routing others. Some southward-flowing rivers were forced to flow north by vast dams of ice and glacial till. Today, both the Cuyahoga and Grand rivers follow odd, twisting courses set by the glaciers.

The Grand River was shaped by a lobe of the Wisconsin glacier that ground and scraped its way south across northeastern Ohio until it found itself blocked by the steep, erosion-resistant sandstone hills found to the south. As the glacier advanced, it eroded the soft shale of the region and deposited sands and gravels. Today, we can see steep walls of Chagrin shale along the lower part of the river, while its upper end provides habitat for a striking array of wildlife, including the reintroduced river otter. Perhaps the best glimpses of the strength and weaknesses of various stone can be seen by visiting one of the many waterfalls located along the lake's tributaries, such as Brandywine Falls, or visit a subterranean river at Seneca Caverns.

Waterfalls along Lake Erie's tributaries provided early industries with power. Like many of the waterfalls, Brandywine Falls provided power for a sawmill. Waterfalls are also excellent places to view the geological history of the region. Visit our waterfalls for glimpses at Berea sandstone and Bedford shale, such as can be seen at Elyria’s Cascade Park.

The Chagrin River creates dramatic gorges where it cuts through 350-million-year-old shale in North Chagrin Reservation. In Hach-Otis Wildlife Sanctuary, watch as the river carves its way through glacial gravel and clay to uncover traces of an ancient, preglacial river valley, destabilizing the 150-foot bluff above.

Rivers serve as corridors for migrating birds, offering rare spring and fall glimpses of northern warblers along with herons, ducks and owls. The Maumee River, Toledo's access to Lake Erie, reminds us that rivers serve as corridors for us as well. Looking closely along the shore, we can find clues about those who were here before us. A woman's skeleton between 8,000 and 10,000 years old, discovered in South Chagrin Reservation, tells us that the coastal area was habitable only a few thousand years after the last glacier's retreat.

In Rocky River Reservation, arrowheads and other relics testify to the presence of Native Americans who farmed and fished here until the 17th century. The shale cliffs have also yielded evidence of far older inhabitants: the fossil skeleton of a 50-foot shark-like creature that roamed the area when it was a warm primeval sea.

The river ecosystem is rich and diverse, but fragile. Industrial dredging and run-off from nearby fields muddy the waters, eliminating many free-swimming species by killing the bottom-dwellers they feed on. Rivers are harder to preserve than lakes or bogs because there are so many ownership claims involved. However, many folks are starting to understand the personal importance of maintaining clean rivers, and particularly clean watersheds.

When an oil slick on the Cuyahoga River caught fire, an entire conservation movement was ignited. The Clean Water Act was a result. This law enforced new mandates for industrial and municipal wastes. It was an international effort to clean up the Great Lakes by removing contaminants from major tributaries.

Although greatly improved, the health of the Great Lakes faces an even larger challenge. Instead of being able to point to a handful of major manufacturers and areas contributing unwanted pollution, we now face the issue of educating everyone living in the watershed about their role in keeping Lake Erie clean. Urban sprawl has led to the filling of wetlands and the destruction of bankside habitats. These habitats prevent erosion, filter sediments to prevent them from reaching Lake Erie, and provide pathways for wildlife. Much of the cleanup effort is community based. RAPs (Remedial Action Plans) are leading the way with volunteer enthusiasm. The Cuyahoga Stream Stewardship Program is looking at the smaller streams that feed Lake Erie's tributaries, and involves clean-ups, monitoring, habitat improvements, and motivating citizens to do their part in their own backyards.