Across Mahoning and Trumbull counties, communities are rediscovering the value of free-flowing rivers. Once shaped by heavy industry, the Mahoning River and its tributaries are now the focus of large-scale restoration efforts that are improving water quality, reconnecting habitat, and creating new opportunities for recreation and economic development. EnviroScience has been proud to play a leading role in several of these transformational dam removal projects, including Lowellville, Struthers, and Warren.
Why Dam Removal Matters
Many dams along the Mahoning River were originally built to support industrial operations, such as providing cooling water for steel mills. Over time, these structures became obsolete while continuing to trap contaminated sediment, disrupt natural river processes, and limit aquatic life. Removing these aging dams restores natural flow, reduces long-term maintenance and safety concerns, and helps rivers recover ecologically.
Lowellville Dam Removal
Completed between 2018 and 2020, the Lowellville Dam removal marked the first major dam removal project along the Ohio portion of the Mahoning River. Decades of industrial use had left behind contaminated sediment, making careful assessment and management critical to the project’s success.
EnviroScience supported the project through extensive river and sediment studies, identification of contaminated areas, development of sediment management strategies, and quality assurance during dredging. Our team also led key permitting efforts, including wetland delineation and freshwater mussel surveys, and collaborated on the engineering design for full dam removal and river restoration. The project restored natural flow, improved aquatic habitat, enhanced boater safety, and laid the groundwork for future restoration initiatives along the river.
Struthers Dam Removal
Building on the success at Lowellville, the Struthers Dam removal and river restoration project was completed between 2019 and 2022. The dam had created a pool that received decades of industrial discharges, resulting in significant sediment contamination.
EnviroScience led efforts to assess and characterize contaminated sediment and developed a comprehensive sediment management and disposal plan. In collaboration with project partners, an innovative approach was used to dispose of dredged sediment in a nearby brownfield site, allowing for expanded restoration work while reducing overall project costs.
Beyond dam removal, the project included channel and floodplain restoration, installation of riffles and bendway weirs for habitat and bank stability, and native seeding and plantings. These improvements restored river function while maximizing environmental and community benefits.
Summit Street Dam Removal in Warren
Most recently, EnviroScience supported the Summit Street Dam removal in the City of Warren from 2022 to 2024. This project was part of a broader effort to restore the Mahoning River to meet its Warmwater Habitat designation.
The project involved phased dam removal, sediment dredging, mussel salvage, and extensive bank stabilization and habitat enhancement. Approximately 800 linear feet of river was restored using riffles, bendway weirs, boulder habitats, and woody debris.
Completion of this project reconnected more than nine miles of free-flowing river — something that had not occurred in over a century — setting the stage for long-term improvements in water quality and biological communities.
A Regional Vision for Healthier Rivers
Together, these projects represent a coordinated approach to river restoration across Northeast Ohio. By combining technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and collaborative design-build delivery, EnviroScience helps communities turn legacy infrastructure challenges into lasting environmental and economic assets.
Ready to Restore Your River?
EnviroScience provides end-to-end dam removal and river restoration services, including feasibility studies, sediment characterization, permitting, design, construction oversight, and post-construction habitat restoration. Whether addressing aging infrastructure or advancing watershed goals, our team partners with clients to deliver practical, science-driven solutions.
Contact EnviroScience today to learn how our river and stream restoration services can help your community restore natural systems and unlock long-term value.