CRWP Milestones: 30 Years Protecting Our Waters and Sustaining Our Future
Laying the Groundwork (1952-1995)
Known problems without a coordinated solution
1952
- Chagrin Valley Association tries to establish a watershed coalition to address mounting concerns such as increased flooding, urbanization, water pollution, and loss of natural areas but does not succeed in implementing a full watershed approach to managing the Chagrin River.
1972
- Dr. Andrew White of John Carroll University discovered Ohio native brook trout in 2 Chagrin River headwater streams in Geauga County. Before this discovery, brook trout were believed to have been extirpated from Ohio.
1952
- Forty-nine (49) miles of the Chagrin River are designated as a State Scenic River.
1986
- Chagrin River Land Conservancy (now the Western Reserve Land Conservancy - WRLC) completes a strategic plan that encouraged the creation of a separate organization to deal with the political and zoning issues in the watershed.
CRWP Founding & Policy Leadership (1996-2005)
CRWP is founded and begins to shape how Ohio manages watersheds
1996
- As a result of the efforts of Chagrin River Land Conservancy and a group of like-minded elected officials and residents, the Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc. (CRWP) was formed by 16 cities, villages, townships, counties, and park districts who recognized that the best way to sustain our communities and future is to use nature to perform the water management services we need, rather than to invest in costly and difficult-to-maintain built infrastructure.
- Brook trout listed as a threatened species by ODNR. ODNR began reintroducing propagated native Ohio brook trout to 15 Ohio streams, many of which were in the Chagrin River watershed.
1999
- Ohio EPA introduces new stormwater permit requirements, requiring some of CRWP’s member communities to begin compliance.
2000
- CRWP develops model ordinances for riparian setbacks, wetland setbacks, flood damage prevention, erosion & sediment control, and stormwater management which are adopted by communities across Ohio.
2002
- Twenty-two (22) miles of the Chagrin River are added to the existing 49 miles designated as a State Scenic River.
2004
- CRWP receives USEPA grant to help members build innovative distributed stormwater management demonstration projects such as permeable pavement, bioretention, and rain gardens and study their effectiveness to help communities effectively manage stormwater.
From Plans to On-the-Ground Change (2006-2014)
CRWP’s on-the-ground restoration starts improving landscapes
CRWP’s on-the-ground restoration starts improving landscapes
2006
- Chagrin River Watershed Action Plan is fully endorsed by State of Ohio.
2009
- Chagrin River Watershed Balanced Growth Plan is endorsed by the Ohio Lake Erie Commission.
2012
- The Trust for Public Land (TPL) and CRWP assist the City of Aurora with the acquisition of a former golf course, the restoration the Aurora Branch of the Chagrin River and its headwater tributaries, and the creation of a new park (Paddock River Preserve) with hiking trails.
2013
- With Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve and partners, CRWP investigates the effectiveness of Low Impact Development (LID) stormwater control measures, resulting in changes to Ohio’s stormwater manual and a to meet state and local stormwater requirements through LID.
Scaling Impact Across Lake Erie (2014–2025)
CRWP’s regional leadership increases collaboration and measurable results
2014
- With funding from the George Gund Foundation, CRWP convenes watershed organizations to explore how to work together more effectively, leading to the creation of the Central Lake Erie Basin Collaborative, a unique network of organizations working together to achieve healthy watersheds, communities, and Lake Erie.
2015
- CRWP completes its first US EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative project, installing green infrastructure at Great Lakes Mall to infiltrate and treat stormwater runoff, restoring streams at Willoughby’s Lost Nation Golf Course, and distributing shade trees, rain barrels, and rain gardens to residents.
- Completion of first of three landowner cost-share streambank stabilization programs supported through grants from the Great Lakes Commission.
2016
- CRWP begins providing regional services to watershed organizations and communities across Ohio's Central Lake Erie Basin.
2017
- CRWP works with local land trusts and partners in the Central Lake Erie Basin Collaborative to protect 190 miles of streams and 16,968 acres of land in healthy watersheds supported by the US Endowment for Forestry and Communities.
- With members and conservation partners, CRWP secures funding for a project to help the region’s forests and coldwater streams adapt to challenges and empower communities and landowners to safeguard wildlife habitat for the future. Learn more here.
2018
- CRWP secures funding to construct an accessible canoe and kayak launch on the Chagrin River at Eastlake’s Erie Road Park and works with the City and partners to enhance the park with green infrastructure, a natural play area, native plants, and by stabilizing eroding streambanks.
- CRWP mission expands to include Lake Erie and watersheds across Ohio.
2019
- CRWP launches the Northeast Ohio Master Rain Gardener Program with Cuyahoga and Lake SWCDs, training 993 people and supporting the installation of over 200 rain gardens that are preventing an estimated 2.9 million gallons of polluted stormwater from entering our local streams and Lake Erie each year.
2020
- Eastlake works with CRWP and WRLC to protect 10 acres of land along the Chagrin River near Lake Erie that was formerly Borac’s Landing commercial marina to create a public park and enhance a popular fishing destination.
2021
- Cleveland Metroparks and CRWP partner to restore Beecher’s Brook at North Chagrin Reservation and the Chagrin River at Jackson Field at South Chagrin Reservation. Learn more here.
2022
- CRWP collaborates with Doan Brook Watershed Partnership and Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District on the Sowinski Park Stream Restoration in Rockefeller Park in Cleveland.
- The Ohio Division of Wildlife lists the Native Ohio Brook Trout as State Endangered within their native range.
2023
- With partners, CRWP develops Chagrin Connect, a plan outlining a vision to connect residents and visitors to the Chagrin River and Lake Erie in western Lake County.
- CRWP works with the City of Willoughby, WRLC, and others to remove failed dam remnants from the Chagrin River and protect and restore the mouth of the East Branch at Daniels Park in Willoughby with funding from H2Ohio. Learn more here.
2024-2025
- CRWP partners with Geauga Park District to restore streams and wetlands and reforest Veterans Legacy Woods park in the Upper Cuyahoga River watershed.
What's Next (2026+)
With your support, CRWP can continue to build on 30 years of progress protecting our waters and sustaining our future
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