The Cuyahoga River and its tributaries drain approximately 813 square miles of land in northeastern Ohio (USEPA, 2003). The headwaters of the river originate in Geauga County and drop from approximately 1,300 feet above sea level at a an average rate of 3 to 4 feet per mile.

Flowing south/southwest, the river moves through Lake Rockwell in Portage County and then continues west/southwest through Kent. Entering Summit County, the river flows through Cuyahoga Falls and Akron.

As the river moves through the Cuyahoga gorge above Akron, it falls at a rate of about 25 feet per mile. Compared to its upstream stretches, the river is influenced less by damn stretches, the river is influenced less by dam structures and diversions as it moves from Akron to Lake Erie.

As the Cuyahoga River flows through northeastern Ohio and finally empties into Lake Erie though Cleveland Harbor, it passes through and around urban, suburban, and rural land. Each of the residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and recreational uses exerts their influences on the river, either directly or indirectly.

The hydrologic characteristics of the Cuyahoga River vary widely depending on regional precipitation, predominant soil types and their water-holding capacities, and the proportion of the drainage basin covered by impermeable surfaces. The latter is especially influential as the river move through the highly developed Cleveland area. An increase in low-flow levels may be related to this condition. The soils in the basin range from slightly erodible to highly erodible.

Flow data for the Cuyahoga River is measured by a United States Geological Survey (USGS) station at Old Rockside Road in Independence. The average flow recorded at this station was 699 cubic feet per second (CFS) for water year 1999, 858 CFS for water year 2000, 643 CFS for water year 2001 and 849 CFS for water year 2002.

Information on the Cuyahoga River provided by James White, Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan (RAP) Executive Director. White is also the federally recognized American Heritage Rivers River Navigator for the Cuyahoga. The Cuyahoga River holds a unique status as one of only two US Rivers that are both American Heritage Rivers and a Great Lakes Area of Concern with a Remedial Action Plan.

Cuyahoga River at a glance

• 112 miles long — drains 812 square miles (through 91 local governments) in six counties
• Empties into Lake Erie at Cleveland, Ohio
• Terminus of Ohio and Erie Canal shipping/industrial center
• Since 1970, imperviousness has tripled while the population has remained the same (1.2 million), creating a sprawl-fueled local economy, similar to many other Great Lakes Cities.

Cuyahoga River image gallery

Resources
Cleveland Memory: Cuyahoga River exhibition 
Cuyahoga Valley Initiative
Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan (RAP)
Friends of the Crooked River
PD graphic: From hurting to healing
River Recreation Destinations - June 15, 2009 PD Graphic