CLEVELAND — The Cuyahoga River has come a long way since the 60s when it became infamous for catching fire. 

What You Need To Know

  • A Cuyahoga Falls resident spotted a river otter in their downtown recently

  • The return of this species is a good sign for improved river health

  • Officials continue to clean the river and make it healthy

Officials work hard to restore the river's health, and it's showing in numerous ways. Some northeast Ohio locals, like Don Howdyshell, are taking notice. 

Howdyshell lives in Cuyahoga Falls, where he walks his dog Molly by the river almost daily. 

On one of the pair's recent walks, Molly spotted something in downtown Cuyahoga Falls they have never seen in the area before: river otters. 

“I had Molly walking with me here, and she stopped and immediately started staring across the river, and anytime she does, that I know she spots something interesting that maybe I should look at,” Howdyshell said. “So that’s what I did. The otter was right there, swimming along the rock ledge. That gave me plenty of time to get out my camera and start recording it.” 

Jason Whittle, a biologist with Summit Metro Parks, said these North American river otter spottings might become more common due to the continuing efforts to improve the health of the Cuyahoga River. 

“They are making a good comeback in the Cuyahoga as well. They have been around for a few decades in different parts, but their range is expanding,” Whittle said. “Their range is expanding because there is water here, and the water is cleaner, so therefore, the fish is cleaner as well.” 

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources put a moratorium on trapping river otters, which Whittle said is another factor helping to restore their populations.

“Otters were trapped almost of extirpation in Ohio, and they were reintroduced in several areas by the state, and they have just taken off,” Whittle said. 

For many like Howdyshell, these new residents are a welcome addition to the area.

“It is really important to see how much the river has come along as far as cleanliness and just bringing up that bio-diversity in the environment,” he said. 

If you are hoping to spot a river otter, it’s best to look at dawn or dusk, but they can be spotted at any time of the day.