AKRON, Ohio - Officials would like to add "demolition" to the Gorge Dam timeline.

With an uncertain future, they're encouraging residents and local organizations to send letters supporting removing the 57-foot-high, 440-foot-wide hunk of concrete, which has served no purpose since the early 1990s.

About 200 area residents attended a "Free the Falls" meeting hosted by the city of Cuyahoga Falls for an update on status of the $70 million project, in the works for years.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative -- usually $300 million annually but eliminated in President Donald Trump's budget proposal -- is at the heart of the discussion.

"We would love to send them thousands of letters," said Metro Parks Executive Director Lisa King. A template for letters directed to the Ohio EPA can be downloaded below.

The Gorge Dam, located on the border of Akron and Cuyahoga Falls in Gorge Metro Park, is the last in a chain of local dams stretching from Kent to Cuyahoga Falls that have been demolished over the past several years. Removing the dams has improved water quality in the Cuyahoga River and opened the river to Class II to Class V rapids.

"Many legislators support it,"said Ohio EPA water quality manager Bill Zawiski, of the dam's removal. "For this project to be successful, we depend on this funding. But where it will end up, your guess is as good as mine."

The city of Akron received a $750,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which officials are hoping can be used as match money for sediment removal.

A U.S. EPA study conducted from 2009 to 2011 found the 832,000 cubic yards of sediment behind the dam non-toxic, which means it can't be discharged downstream but it can be removed without requiring confined disposal.

The Ohio EPA has submitted an application to the EPA for assistance with sediment removal.

Here's the timeline of the Gorge Dam:

1914 - 1917 - The dam was built by Northern Traction & Light, a predecessor to Ohio Edison, to produce hydroelectric power. Water from the dam pool provided cooling water for the coal burning power plant built in conjunction with the dam.

1929 - The park was established by lease to the Akron Park District, which later became Summit Metro Parks. The power company retained rights to operate the dam and power generation.

1917-1958 - Hydro operations at the Gorge Dam were modified several times attempting to boost its production.

1958 - Hydro operations ceased.

1960s - 1970s - Turbines were retired, the hydropower generation station was dismantled and debris was removed by helicopter.

1917 - 1991 - A coal-fired power plant operated at the dam. The smallest of Ohio Edison's coal plants, it was used primarily for peak power production. In 1991, following eight months of study, Ohio Edison concluded that modifications required by new amendments to the Clean Air Act were not economical.

1991 - The power plant closed.

2009 - The power plant was razed.

1998 - 2009 - Various proposals to use the Gorge Dam for power generation were investigated. None proved viable.

2009 & 2011 - The US EPA conducted a study of the amount and toxicity of the sediment behind dam. The study found 832,000 cubic yards of non-toxic but moderately-contaminated sediment.

2015 - The Ohio EPA contracted with Tetra Tech to study costs of sediment control and demolition. Study showed a cost of approximately $70 million for sediment management and dam demolition.

The next event in the Free the Falls series will be July 22 from noon to 2 p.m. Gorge Metro Park, 1160 Front St. in Cuyahoga Falls. Attendees can learn about the Gorge Dam, its sediments and the the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

For more information call 330-865-8065 or visit www.summitmetroparks.org. To schedule a program or presentation about the Gorge Dam for your civic, school or church group, email Elaine Marsh, watershed specialist, at emarsh@summitmetroparks.org.