Leavittsburg Dam removal completed
Officials hail benefits of $4.88M project in Warren Township
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LEAVITTSBURG -- The Trumbull County Metroparks has officially completed the removal of the Leavittsburg Dam, which has been a controversial subject in recent years.
Metroparks Executive Director Zachary Svette was at Canoe City this week where he showed how the Mahoning River is now flowing since the dam's removal last spring.
He said final work was completed this week for the dam project.
Svette said the funding for the $4,883,500 project included $3,203,500 from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, $865,000 from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and $815,000 from the Ohio EPA's H20 Ohio fund.
Svette said some of the new enhancements to the Canoe City MetroPark off North Leavitt Road and river area as a result of the project are:
• Riffle enhancement of the river channel just upstream of the Leavitt Road bridge.
• Stream bank protection that was installed along 2,000 feet of the Mahoning River from Duck Creek back upstream.
• New plantings that include live stakes, native grasses and numerous trees and bushes.
• Items such as a water wheel and sandstone bricks donated to Warren Township for the Leavittsburg Heritage Museum to display
Svette said launch/takeout ramps have been restored to continue to provide access to the river at Canoe City.
He said new access is being provided through restoration of the streambank. They are enhancing the fishing and wildlife viewing in the park.
Svette said the walking trail and parking lot will be restored through new pavement.
Randy Fabrizio, president of the Metroparks board, said the dam's removal has helped improve water quality, a plus for the entire community.
"This project is an example of what a community can achieve when working together. There were many moving parts that made this project possible and to do what was best for the entire community,'' Fabrizio said.
Svette said project partners included the Ohio EPA, ODNR, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, RiverReach Construction, MS Consultants, GPD, EnviroScience and Metropolitan Environmental.
Svette said when he has been at Canoe City the water can be seen flowing clearly.
He said while the dam was removed late last year, restoration work was still needed along the riverbank near the dam. That work was done this summer.
Svette said workers this week were planting and moving dirt.
"To me with the dam removed, this looks more like a river should. There is a more natural current in the water," Svette said. "What is nice is all the natural grass growth on the riverbanks. The natural seedbank exploded this summer after all the flooding in May. We finished all the river restoration with the water now redirected off the bank."
The Leavittsburg Dam was among nine dams to be removed along the Mahoning River in Trumbull and Mahoning counties.
In Warren, the Summit Street Dam was removed last year.
"We think it's made a positive impact in terms of river health," Svette said.
Of the nine dams along the river, three are in Youngstown and one in Girard.
Svette said there was also work on the walking trail by the river, which people can use to enjoy viewing the river and observing nature.
In early 2024, the Metroparks discussed plans for the dam's removal while a $40,000 alternative study on the removal was being done. The Trumbull County Commissioners reviewed a DLZ Ohio study on alternatives, with concerns raised about a drop in water level drop and bank stability.
The Metroparks Board voted in December 2024 to proceed with removing the dam. The Ohio EPA had already approved the project.
At the time there was opposition from many Warren Township residents and officials.
The project was to eliminate the lowhead dam and restore natural stream morphology.
Sediment dredging, bank stabilization and ecological restoration also was done to improve biodiversity and safe paddling conditions.