More than a dozen turtles that previously lived in the reservoir behind the Gorge Dam are now swimming in a new watery home.

The four-legged, slow-moving, hard-shelled travelers were caught and released this summer in the Valley View Area river access point to protect them from the $130 million dam deconstruction project, which includes dredging sediment, scoop by scoop.

These reptile rescues will likely be completed over two construction seasons. So far, three staff members have rescued 15 to -20 snapping, midland painted, red-eared sliders and musk turtles.

Why is this important? Mike Johnson, the chief of conservation for Summit Metro Parks, said turtles hibernate in the sediment at the bottom of rivers, lakes and ponds.

“So, knowing that these things are going to be spending the winter in the sediment,” Johnson said, “we decided to try and remove as many of them as we could.”

A Summit Metro Parks seasonal biologist holds a small snapping turtle that was rescued from the reservoir behind the Gorge Dam prior to dredging to remove sediment that's accumulated over decades behind the dam. Once the dredging is complete, the dam will be removed, freeing the Cuyahoga River and uncovering the Cuyahoga Falls waterfalls again.
A Summit Metro Parks seasonal biologist holds a small snapping turtle that was rescued from the reservoir behind the Gorge Dam prior to dredging to remove sediment that’s accumulated over decades behind the dam. Once the dredging is complete, the dam will be removed, freeing the Cuyahoga River and uncovering the Cuyahoga Falls waterfalls again. (Photo courtesy of Summit Metro Parks)

What animals live in or near the Gorge Dam?

Other animals that live in this habitat range from fish and birds to snakes. The fish population can move away from the current dredging; Johnson said fish may need to be relocated in the future.  

“I believe this is something the public expects from us, and so I guess it is important for them to know that we’re living up to those expectations,” Johnson said of turtle rescues.

Before these little (and big) guys could be safely relocated, they had to be successfully trapped. 

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How are turtles relocated?

Turtle traps, something already in the park’s inventory, are made up of mesh netting and sardine-based bait. The trap must be assembled in water, with a portion of it above water and another portion below. 

The trap must be set just right so turtles can access air. Three staff members monitored the traps every few days, — for a few hours at a time. 

The timing of turtle rescues had to be closely aligned with the dredging process so they could save as many as possible.

There may be some slow-moving stragglers left behind, but since it isn’t quite hibernation season, Johnson said, they may avoid construction.

“The process of removing the sediment that is behind the dam, that’s going to take a couple of years,” Johnson said. “But when the whole project is complete, the river will be free-flowing again — and it will again support the turtle population.”