The Mahoning River has been the lifeblood of the Steel Valley since the 19th Century. It served without fail as our region’s steelmaking might powered our nation through the Industrial Revolution and fortified the American armed forces that enabled the Allies to prevail during two world wars. As the 20th Century advanced, Mahoning Valley steel helped the U.S. build the world’s strongest infrastructure, develop new energy resources, and produce components for American-made automobiles and much more.

McDonald Steel’s earliest roots grew deep and strong on the banks of the Mahoning River. Today, more than 100 years later, McDonald Steel continues to produce the world’s finest hot-rolled steel shapes. Our products today are used all across our country in railroad, bridges and other major infrastructure projects.

We stand in support of the planning under way to make our Mahoning River an even greater asset for the valley’s collective economic opportunities. We believe our river can and will enable shared prosperity throughout the Mahoning Valley as it winds through the region and links urban, suburban and rural places.

McDonald Steel itself is a proud example of the capability of our Mahoning River in helping industry thrive. Our company relies on the volume of water the river provides for year-round cooling of our hot rolling mills. We look forward to a future that includes finding a way to continue our access to the water we expect to require for many more years of service to our employees, customers and communities. Whether the future includes more years of service by the Girard dam or removal of the structure, we believe it is in our valley’s best interest to find a way to enable the river to continue its work for our company.

For 102 years, the Mahoning River has delivered for McDonald Steel. Today, McDonald Steel stands in support of the great new initiative taking shape to make our river an even greater asset for our Mahoning Valley and for the ever-growing number of people who are attracted to the river to play on or near its water and enjoy its beauty and bounty. We wish great success for the Mahoning River Corridor Revitalization Plan and will contribute through the ongoing benefits McDonald Steel provides in employment, tax revenue and economic impact.

Thanks for the comment, Holly – we agree! Lowellville is providing a great example for all river communities. Kudos to your community for being first along the Mahoning to take the plunge!

Thanks for the comment, Don! The preliminary study conducted by GPD Group (found in the Resources tab) proposed a few riffle creation opportunities on the lower portion of the Mahoning – see the last three pages of the report. We are further evaluating these and other locations as part of the plan, and will certainly take your suggestions into consideration.

In conjunction with the removals, there’s an opportunity for your organization to help spur more interest in kayaking, canoeing and spectator activity on the river.

I’m suggesting that white-water areas be developed in the downtown areas of Warren and Youngstown.

Those areas and the activities and events that they would create could generate much interest in those downtowns…see Kent and Cuyahoga Falls. Pedestrian walkways and spectators could be envisioned.

Local organizations like the Friends of the Mahoning River, The Mahoning River Paddling, Restoration Group, and Trumbull Canoe Trails have expressed interest in seeing the development of such sites.

Please consider these ideas….