What's all the dam commotion about? In a project of historic significance, Summit Metro Parks and a large coalition of community partners are working together to remove the Gorge Dam on the Cuyahoga River. Summit Metro Parks Chief of Conservation Mike Johnson and Watershed Specialist Elaine Marsh will take listeners behind the scenes of Free the Falls, the dam removal that will create a vibrant future for the river, its watershed and its people.
Environmental journalist and author Tara Lohan discusses her book "Undammed" with hosts Mike and Elaine, exploring how freeing rivers revitalizes communities and ecosystems.
14 Apr 2026
Come to the Dam Progress Report
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 about the progress report, including information about accessibility and parking, visit bit.ly/FTFppr (https://www.summitmetroparks.org/program-events/free-the-falls-progress-report/).
Free the Falls ➡️bit.ly/freethefalls (https://www.summitmetroparks.org/about/free-the-falls/)
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27 Mar 2026
Protect the Land, Protect the Water
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 history that shaped Akron’s water system – from a devastating 1904 fire to the creation of Lake Rockwell – and how that legacy still guides decisions today. Jessica walks us through why the city owns so much land, how her team tracks down pollution in real time and what it means to manage water quality in a largely rural landscape.
This is a conversation about prevention over reaction. About solving problems before they reach the river. And about the quiet, often invisible work that keeps drinking water safe for hundreds of thousands of people.
And yes… we also talk about burying “tighty whities” in the soil to test ecosystem health. (Trust us, it makes sense – and you won’t forget it.)
Plus, learn how innovative programs like Project ACORN are planting trees, creating jobs and strengthening neighborhoods, all while improving water quality for generations to come.
City of Akron Watershed Division ➡️ Akron, OH (https://www.akronohio.gov/departments/service/water_supply_bureau/watershed_division.php)
Free the Falls ➡️bit.ly/freethefalls (https://www.summitmetroparks.org/about/free-the-falls/)
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22 Jan 2026
Getting Sediment-al with Sevenson
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 and stabilized (yes, it’s as complicated as it sounds). Along the way, hear about surprise discoveries like century-old mussel shells, creative problem-solving and how a construction project can leave behind not just a free-flowing river, but a brand-new park. Dirt never sounded so interesting!
Sevenson Environmental Services ➡️ sevenson.com
Free the Falls ➡️bit.ly/freethefalls (https://www.summitmetroparks.org/about/free-the-falls/)
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10 Oct 2025
Sewers, Streams and Waterways Renewed
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 engineering and what it’s like to lead some of Akron’s most ambitious environmental projects, including the Aqueduct Street green improvements, the Northside Interceptor Tunnel (NSIT), and the long-awaited Gorge Dam removal. She also discusses the partnerships that make these projects successful and shares where she draws her inspiration to keep pushing forward – even when some projects feel as demanding as motherhood.
And somehow, we made it through the entire episode without a single poop joke (we’re as surprised as you).
Akron Waterways Renewed ➡️ akronwaterwaysrenewed.com (https://www.akronwaterwaysrenewed.com/)
Free the Falls ➡️ bit.ly/freethefalls (https://www.summitmetroparks.org/about/free-the-falls/)
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21 Aug 2025
The Lower 46.5
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 tributaries.
Jennifer walks us through the Cuyahoga River’s incredible comeback, highlighting why public access makes it one of a kind. She dives into past and ongoing restoration projects that require collaboration, accountability and measurable progress. Plus, get a glimpse of what’s next when the AOC is delisted—a major milestone in the Cuyahoga’s journey.
Cuyahoga River AOC ➡️ cuyahogaaoc.org (https://cuyahogaaoc.org/)
Free the Falls ➡️bit.ly/freethefalls (https://www.summitmetroparks.org/about/free-the-falls/)
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23 Jul 2025
Engineering a Healthier River
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 transformed a federal mandate into a model for sustainability.
For more, visit bit.ly/freethefalls (https://www.summitmetroparks.org/about/free-the-falls/)
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11 Jun 2025
Big Water, Small Table
Mike and Elaine share stories of grassroots advocacy and collaborative river restoration, highlighting how a small idea evolved into a decades-long campaign to remove a dam.
16 May 2025
Come to a Dam Meeting
After a period of quiet progress, big things are happeningwith 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 worth celebrating.
For information about the public meeting and more, visit bit.ly/freethefalls (https://www.summitmetroparks.org/about/free-the-falls/)
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30 Oct 2024
The Fish Factor
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 on fish spawning, migration patterns, behavior and more. Listen to find out whether a dam can alter the genetic makeup of fish, why some biologists need gym memberships, which fish monitoring methods Matt’s team uses and how this relates to the dam section of the river.
For more, visit bit.ly/freethefalls (https://www.summitmetroparks.org/about/free-the-falls/)
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31 Aug 2024
Water is Life
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 River’s. Learn the Tale of Two Fish, find out which one of our cohosts ruffled Bill’s feathers and why, and explore the negative ripple effects of keeping the dam in place — for fish, humans and everything in between. If you're curious about how Ohio became a water quality trailblazer, this episode is a must-listen!
For more, visit bit.ly/freethefalls (https://www.summitmetroparks.org/about/free-the-falls/)
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31 Jul 2024
The Past, Present and Future of the Gorge Dam
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 the sediment flow down the river? Tune in for answers and discover the history and challenges of the Gorge Dam, collaborative efforts and the cost to remove it, and the vision for its future.
Free the Falls website: bit.ly/freethefalls (https://www.summitmetroparks.org/free-the-falls.aspx)
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7 Jun 2024
Free the Falls Podcast Trailer
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!
Inside a recent episode
"Undamned" with Tara Lohan
Published 5 Jun 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] But then there's also the impact of dams on when there's not enough water. And so parts of the arid west, we're seeing areas where A climate change is making droughts more severe, and it's also reducing the amount of water. And sometimes that means that reservoirs that we have are more important because we need to store what little water we have. But sometimes it means that they're actually becoming less useful and more redundant. And spectacularly, this is actually happening at our two largest reservoirs, Lake Mead, which is impounded behind Hoover Dam, and Lake Powell, which is impounded behind Glen Canyon Dam. […]
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