Water quality in lower West Creek will get a boost thanks to the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District ()NEORSD. In February 2004, NEORSD was awarded funds from Ohio EPA’s Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program (WRRSP) to implement projects in partnership with West Creek Preservation Committee that address non-point pollution sources along West Creek. 3.5 Million was awarded to support restoration activities ranging from preservation and protection to intensive repair of affected stream and aquatic habitats.

The first step for WCPC and NEORSD was to identify and prioritize potential restoration sites. Work will focus on the more urbanized reaches of West Creek towards the mouth of the Cuyahoga River in Independence and Brooklyn Heights, although there are some two potential sites in Parma as well; one being close to the headwaters along Pleasant Valley Road, as the other is off Broadview Road about ˝ mile north of Snow/Rockside Road. Reconstruction of natural channels along this section of West Creek will provide much needed habitat for the stream environment. Fish migration barriers are of great concern. Such barriers include an Ohio Department of Transportation concrete flume along the I-480 corridor, a large culvert under Lancaster Road in Brooklyn Heigts, a notched outfall structure at the culvert under I-480 (coming out of Brooklyn Heights Park), and two low-head dam structures in Parma. See site conceptual narratives for more information.

West Creek Preservation Committee looks forward to building this partnership with NEORSD.

Winter 2005 Update

The stream restoration project being funded through an Ohio EPA award is moving along. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD), who received the award, has hired a design team led by Wade-Trim to develop design concepts and the final design package. The project will focus mainly on reducing stream bank erosion, improving fish movement through West Creek, and providing more in-stream habitat for fish and insects. Protecting the riparian areas around the stream is important to the success of the restoration. The team is currently finishing up the preliminary design phase and will be making final site recommendations by February. WCPC has been working closely with adjacent landowners on this cooperative restoration effort. NEORSD anticipates design work to be completed by early summer. Construction on some sites may begin as early as the fall of 2006. Most of the construction will take place during the summer of 2007. We’ll keep you updated on this unique project as it successfully moves along!

Spring 2006 Update

Read the Conceptual Restoration Plan for the WRRSP Project. Please note that it is a large file (5.6 MB) and will require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you would prefer a copy for review without downloading, please contact the WCPC office at 216-749-3720.

Summer 2007 Update