LOWELLVILLE, Ohio - A long-awaited river revitalization project took a significant step forward in Lowellville Friday.

A large crane lowered a 40-ton dredge onto the river. The dredging and removal of an old dam will increase water flow, help fish migrate, raise the oxygen level, and open the river to recreation. Lowellville's Mayor says it's the start of something big.

"From here, all the way to Newton Falls. It's really going to change this valley from where it's been in the past with all the steelmaking to where we need to go today with new business and new technology. So this is the start, the catalyst, and it's exciting," Mayor James Iudiciani said.

The Mayor says the renewed river will be an attraction for recreation, new residents and business, including a new venture called Mahoning Whitewater Adventures.

The dam removal Is a $2.3 million Ohio EPA project. The next step in the long term river restoration will be a similar dam removal project in Struthers. It's already received $2.3 in funding.