Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Ohio’s Cuyahoga River once was noted for catching fire. But check out another temperature extreme in this clip from the Today Show featuring a Lake Erie lighthouse at the river’s mouth near Cleveland. The river is a heck of a lot cleaner now – it doesn’t burn. But I’m not sure any amount of flames could melt that ice coat this week.
Thanks for your kind response. It’s appreciated. Many Clevelanders do have a slightly odd sense of pride about the river’s notoriety. It’s a good tale so far, but the ending is still ahead of us. Much work remains to make the river a place where industry, nature, and recreation can all thrive.
Kevin,
Excellent point. I edited the item to make that clear. I guess I got caught up in trying to make a catchy contrast. The anecdote has such a hold in Great Lakes lore because the attention the incident brought is often credited with helping launch the environmental movement. And it’s a tale with a good ending. As you point out the river is much cleaner today.
As I recall, the fire really wasn’t much of a fire. And published reports included photos taken of another fire at a different time. So sorry about perpetuating the overhype.
Dave Poulson
Propensity? Come on guys, the last thing Cleveland needs is for our Great Lakes neighbors to perpetuate that old story. I’m sure you’re aware of how much cleaner the river is today than in 1969.