Cuyahoga River

Cuyahoga River in the United States

Cuyahoga River in Environmental Law

In 1969, the Cuyahoga River caught on fire in Cleveland, Ohio. It was not the only river to burst into flames, though. During that decade, three other rivers also burned. However, the Cuyahoga River became a symbol of the deteriorating condition of rivers in the United States, and it is often cited as a precipitator of the first comprehensive water pollution law, the Clean Water Act. The fire was caused by uncontrolled dumping of oil and chemicals into the river. When hot slag was accidentally discharged into the river, it ignited the flammable mixture and caused a fire.
Based on “Environment and the Law. A Dictionary”.


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