WARREN TWP., Ohio - Demolition work is set to begin Tuesday morning on Leavittsburg Dam on the Mahoning River, with the first step focusing on water management.

Zachary Svette, executive director of Trumbull County MetroParks, confirmed the start of the project, stating that crews are targeting this morning to perform the initial “dewatering notch.”

A dewatering notch is a controlled, gradual cut made into the top of a dam. Its purpose is to slowly lower the water level behind the structure, or "dewater" the upstream area. The measured reduction in flow helps to minimize the rush of water and sediment downstream, which can prevent erosion and protect workers as the main demolition begins.

The project aims to restore the river’s natural flow by removing a fish barrier and promoting biological diversity.

The dam, owned by the MetroParks, has been a source of local discussion. MetroParks officials have pointed to the structure as a drowning hazard and an environmental concern. However, Warren Township Trustees previously raised objections, citing the potential for erosion and property damage downstream once the dam is removed.

A study commissioned by the Township Trustees and Trumbull County Commissioners explored options for the structure. Despite the concerns, the decision to proceed aligns with a regional effort by the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments and 13 communities to remove low-head dams and improve water quality in the Mahoning River.

The plan includes removing contaminated sediments trapped by the dam, followed by the actual dam removal. The final stages will involve bank stabilization, using materials like rock and wood debris to protect the riverbanks and ensure the riverbed can settle into its natural shape.