Courtesy of WKBN
The closure of the Mahoning River in Struthers begins Monday, and those wanting to travel down the Mahoning River for recreation will have to detour around Struthers.
Effective Monday, July 26, the Mahoning River within the City of Struthers limits, will be temporarily closed until further notice due to the dam removal process.
The portion closed will be between Walton Avenue and Bob Cene Way bridges.
The closure was announced earlier this month.Mahoning River topic comes up during D.C. hearing
Along with the dam removal, one of nine will be demolished along the river corridor to help improve the flow of the river downstream. It will also allow for more recreational use of the waterway.
If someone wants to continue boating along the Mahoning River, there will be a place to portage just up river from the Struthers Dam. There will be warning signs posted.
To put back in the river, however, boaters will have to go all the way to Lowellville.
“This actually started, I believe, in 2019 under Mayor Stocker. He actually put me on the committee that started all this, so I was brought in very early on to the process, so this has been a long time coming. We’re very excited about it,” said Struthers Mayor Catherine Cercone Millers.
Mayor Cercone Millers also says the closure was necessary for safety.
“We feel that this is in the best interest of public safety. Signs will be posted under and at Walton bridge and Bob Cene Way Bridge to notify anyone using the river that they will have to exit due to construction ahead. Thank you for your patience,” Cercone Miller wrote in a news release.
At the same time that the dam is being removed, a kayak and canoe launch will also be built underneath Bob Cene Way. All of it — the dam removal and the kayak launch — should be ready in time for kayaking season next year.