Geology alumni Home Department Home Alumni Directory    By Last Name    By Year Giving Alumni News Alumni Events Student Employment Newsletter KSU Alumni Home Photos    Downtown Kent

Kent Dam before "removal" (4/01 photo).  Built in 1836 as a "stone arch" dam 15' high and 125' long (made of hand-cut sandstone). Purpose was to impound the Cuyahoga River to power a local sawmill and flour mill.  As such it served as a local baselevel for this part of the Middle Cuyahoga River.  Main Street Bridge to rear (north). Scene during construction/renovation  (11/03 photo). Purpose was to bring this part of the river into compliance with the Clean Water Act by developing free flow of the Cuyahoga River through a by-pass channel (using the former canal lock on the left; not fully blasted open at this date). Renovated Kent "Dam" and "Heritage Park" development (grassed area in back of the structure). (4/06 photo)  The project was completed in late 2004 and dedicated in May, 2005.  Total cost: $5 million.  With removal of the Munroe Falls Dam downstream as well, the Middle Cuyahoga River now flows freely for 10 miles from Lake Rockwell, through Kent and Munroe Falls, to Cuyahoga Falls with improved water quality (by removal of stagnant water and increased oxygen content) and improved fish habitat. By-pass along the restored canal lock to left of "Heritage Park" (4/06 photo).  The Park includes a grassed area (built on back-fill of the former water pool), overlooks, plaques (along the "dam" lip), access staircases and, on this day, sunbathers. Overview of by-pass along the restored canal lock allowing free-flow of the Cuyahoga River past the former dam wall (11/04 photo).