Mahoning River Restoration Brings New Life to Ohio Valley

Decades-long efforts to revive the polluted waterway are paying off with the return of natural beauty and recreational opportunities.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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After more than a century of industrial pollution and neglect, the Mahoning River in Ohio's Mahoning Valley is slowly being restored to its former natural state. Efforts to remove dams, dredge contaminated sediment, and create new access points for recreation have been underway for years, led by a dedicated group of advocates. The river's revival is now starting to bear fruit, with the return of native fish species, wildlife, and opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and other outdoor activities along the riverbanks.

Why it matters

The Mahoning River was once the lifeblood of the Mahoning Valley, supporting the region's industrial growth in the 19th and 20th centuries. But decades of pollution and misuse left the river in a degraded state, disconnecting local residents from this natural resource. The ongoing restoration efforts aim to revive the river's ecological health and transform it into a recreational asset that can boost tourism and quality of life in the surrounding communities.

The details

Over the past several years, key steps have been taken to restore the Mahoning River, including the removal of dams in Warren and plans to breach the Leavittsburg dam. This has allowed the river to return to a more natural, free-flowing state, enabling the flushing of contaminated sediment and the return of native fish species like smallmouth bass and walleye. New access points and riverside parks are also being developed to encourage recreational use of the river, from kayaking and canoeing to fishing and wildlife viewing.

  • In the 19th century, dams were built along the Mahoning River to support industrial growth in the Mahoning Valley.
  • For more than 100 years, the Mahoning River was seen as a polluted, unusable waterway by local residents.
  • In the early 2000s, advocates began pushing for the removal of dams and restoration of the river.
  • In 2025, the Summit Street dam in Warren was removed, a major milestone in the river's revival.
  • In 2026, plans were finalized to breach the Leavittsburg dam, further restoring the river's natural flow.

The players

Bill DeCicco

Former director of the CASTLO business development agency, one of the early advocates for applying for federal funds to remove dams and dredge the Mahoning River.

Chuck Miller

A local kayaker who lobbied tirelessly for the removal of dams and the creation of new access points along the Mahoning River.

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What they’re saying

“The Mahoning, they said, could become a Mahoning Valley recreational gem, a tourist attraction even.”

— Bill DeCicco, Former CASTLO director

“Spring will push residents to the river banks for sightseeing and recreation. Spring will inspire anglers to rig up their fishing gear for bass, walleyes and perhaps an amazing encounter with the muskellunge that are the T-Rex predators of our hometown valley.”

— Jack Wollitz, Author (tribtoday.com)

What’s next

Plans are underway to breach the Leavittsburg dam, which will further restore the Mahoning River's natural flow and enable additional recreational opportunities.

The takeaway

The revitalization of the Mahoning River is a testament to the perseverance of local advocates who refused to give up on this vital natural resource. Their efforts are now paying off, as the river's ecological health is being restored and it is once again becoming a hub for outdoor recreation and community engagement in the Mahoning Valley.