Free the Falls – Details, episodes & analysis

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) isn’t like those other state EPAs, they’re a cool state EPA. After all, they helped Ohio become a leader in water quality assessment!

Mike and Elaine are joined by special guest Bill Zaweski, Ohio EPA environmental supervisor of the Division of Surface Water. Bill explains why water should have integrity and how the Gorge Dam compromises the Cuyahoga River’s. Learn the Tale of Two Fish, find out which one of our cohosts ruffled Bill’s feathers and why, and explore the negative ripple effects of keeping the dam in place — for fish, humans and everything in between. If you're curious about how Ohio became a water quality trailblazer, this episode is a must-listen! 

For more, visit bit.ly/freethefalls 

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In our premier episode, cohosts Mike and Elaine are joined by special guest Lisa King, executive director of Summit Metro Parks. Mike and Elaine recall their first meeting (hint: it involved a dam) and Lisa shares how an undesirable job eventually led to a career with the park district (thanks, dad!).

What the heck is a MOAD? Why didn’t the Gorge Dam live up to its dam potential? Why not just let the sediment flow down the river? Tune in for answers and discover the history and challenges of the Gorge Dam, collaborative efforts and the cost to remove it, and the vision for its future. 

Free the Falls website: bit.ly/freethefalls

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Where's our dam host? In Alaska! While he's out exploring the Land of the Midnight Sun, Summit Metro Parks Biologist Jason Whittle shares a sneak peak of what's to come. Free the Falls premieres next month!

Nothing says “surprise” like learning the United States Geological Survey (USGS) is on its way to help! That’s right — the USGS is big on fish research, and that research extends to the Gorge Dam. In this episode, Mike and Elaine catch up with USGS Research Biologist Dr. Matthew Acre (Matt) and discuss the fascinating ways fish respond to environmental cues. Matt shares insights from his research on fish spawning, migration patterns, behavior and more. Listen to find out whether a dam can alter the genetic makeup of fish, why some biologists need gym memberships, which fish monitoring methods Matt’s team uses and how this relates to the dam section of the river. 

For more, visit bit.ly/freethefalls

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Mike and Elaine reflect on years of grassroots advocacy, collaborative river restoration and environmental stewardship rooted in personal passion and long-term vision. Along the way, hear how a kitchen-table brainstorming session that started with “fat chance” evolved into a decades-long campaign to remove the Gorge Dam — because sometimes, big ideas start small. 

You’ll also find out how Elaine accidentally crashed a wedding in a wetsuit and why planting invasive trees isn’t the environmental silver bullet everyone hopes for. Plus, Mike and Elaine get real about how parks aren’t magical stormwater sponges (spoiler: we’re full of water already) and why saving clean water means thinking bigger than just timing your showers. 

This episode celebrates the resilience of the river and the people dedicated to its revival, reminding us that rivers know where they want to go – we just need to listen. 

For more, visit ⁠bit.ly/freethefalls ⁠ 

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After a period of quiet progress, big things are happening with the Free the Falls project! In this episode, Mike and Elaine share exciting news about the upcoming public meeting on Monday, May 19, marking the official start of sediment removal from behind the Gorge Dam. Hear what’s next for the project, who will be at the meeting – including local leaders and key partners – and why this moment is worth celebrating.

For information about the public meeting and more, visit bit.ly/freethefalls 

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Is it true that it takes two really good mechanical engineers to make one average civil engineer? Once you sit down with Pat Gsellman, you’ll agree the answer is no. In this episode, Mike and Elaine chat with Pat about his journey from nature-loving kid to civil engineering leader behind Akron’s Waterways Renewed program. Discover how innovation, collaboration and a deep love for clean water transformed a federal mandate into a model for sustainability.  

For more, visit ⁠bit.ly/freethefalls ⁠ 

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In this episode, Mike and Elaine are joined by Jennifer Grieser, Cleveland Metroparks director of natural resources and chair of the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern (AOC) Advisory Committee. The Cuyahoga River AOC is comprised of the lower 46.5 miles of the Cuyahoga River, including all the tributaries that drain to that section of river and the adjacent Lake Erie shoreline and its direct tributaries. 

Jennifer walks us through the Cuyahoga River’s incredible comeback, highlighting why public access makes it one of a kind. She dives into past and ongoing restoration projects that require collaboration, accountability and measurable progress. Plus, get a glimpse of what’s next when the AOC is delisted—a major milestone in the Cuyahoga’s journey. 

Cuyahoga River AOC ➡️ cuyahogaaoc.org  

Free the Falls ➡️ ⁠bit.ly/freethefalls ⁠ 

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An engineer who talks to humans instead of just blueprints? That’s Heather Ullinger. 

You may have seen City of Akron Senior Engineer Heather Ullinger at a Free the Falls public meeting or heard her name in the news covering the city’s major water-related projects. However you know her, you’re in for a treat when you tune in to this episode.  

Heather talks about how she found her way into engineering and what it’s like to lead some of Akron’s most ambitious environmental projects, including the Aqueduct Street green improvements, the Northside Interceptor Tunnel (NSIT), and the long-awaited Gorge Dam removal. She also discusses the partnerships that make these projects successful and shares where she draws her inspiration to keep pushing forward – even when some projects feel as demanding as motherhood. 

And somehow, we made it through the entire episode without a single poop joke (we’re as surprised as you).  

Akron Waterways Renewed ➡️ akronwaterwaysrenewed.com 

Free the Falls ➡️ ⁠bit.ly/freethefalls ⁠ 

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Why is milk the worst, and what can “tighty whities” teach us about soil health? Find out with City of Akron Watershed Superintendent Jessica Glowczewski! 

Clean drinking water doesn’t start at the tap – it starts miles upstream. Jessica’s work stretches far beyond the treatment plant, across thousands of acres of forests, farms and streams in the Upper Cuyahoga River watershed. 

We dig into the history that shaped Akron’s water system – from a devastating 1904 fire to the creation of Lake Rockwell – and how that legacy still guides decisions today. Jessica walks us through why the city owns so much land, how her team tracks down pollution in real time and what it means to manage water quality in a largely rural landscape. 

This is a conversation about prevention over reaction. About solving problems before they reach the river. And about the quiet, often invisible work that keeps drinking water safe for hundreds of thousands of people. 

And yes… we also talk about burying “tighty whities” in the soil to test ecosystem health. (Trust us, it makes sense – and you won’t forget it.) 

Plus, learn how innovative programs like Project ACORN are planting trees, creating jobs and strengthening neighborhoods, all while improving water quality for generations to come.

City of Akron Watershed Division ➡️ Akron, OH 

Free the Falls ➡️⁠bit.ly/freethefalls ⁠ 

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