Cuyahoga Valley: First Terrace Physiography

+ First Terrace

The defining features of the First Terrace are geology and elevation. It is distinct from the Lake Plain in being formed by glacial deposits rather than lake deposits. It rises higher than the Lake Plain to form the first terrace of an inland plateau.

Portage Escarpment. On the City of Cleveland's east side the lower edges of the area are a gently sloping escarpment that is oriented in a northeast/southwest direction near the Lake but which curves to an almost north-south orientation as it nears the Cuyahoga River. This hillside, also known as the Portage Escarpment, marks the transition between the beginning of the Plains to the west and the Allegheny Plateau to the east. The hillside also forms the western boundary of the collection of City of Cleveland neighborhoods and suburban communities known as the "The Heights" area. To the west of the Cuyahoga Valley, a similar landform curves away from the river in a northwest direction back toward the lake.

Moraines. Moraines, mounds of earth and rocks deposited by glaciers, also characterize these First Terrace areas near Lake Erie. These large mounded areas are responsible for the changes in direction of the courses of a number of the Cuyahoga River's tributaries. The routes of Big Creek, West Creek and Mill Creek are diverted from their northerly flow toward Lake Erie and are redirected toward the Cuyahoga River by these mounded landforms. Schaaf Road follows a portion of the Brooklyn Moraine west of the Cuyahoga River. The Euclid Moraine parallels the Portage Escarpment on the east side.

Mesas and Buttes. South along the Cuyahoga River the First Terrace includes the tops of a number of "mesa and butte" landforms that shape the valley's sides. These "mesa and butte" areas are mostly flat with steep forested edges. Much of the First Terrace is also highly dissected by a maze of narrow valleys and ridges. Historically oak and chestnut were numerous along the terraced valley slopes of the Cuyahoga.

Development. The First Terrace includes a great deal of desirable land since it immediately overlooks the Valley. Development of these areas is very visible. Nearer Cleveland some of the mesa-like formations have already been developed with commercial projects which may not be the highest and best use of the areas. Further to the south much of the most interesting land is already in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Because of the slopes, visibility and proximity to the Valley, conservation and protection are important issues.

In the older and more highly urbanized portions First Terrace areas, the high cost of remediating combined sewers could be offset by a program of retrofitting properties to increase infiltration and provide increased amenities in the form of small parks and other public areas.

		Physiography, also called geomorphology, is the study of land surface features. The Physiographic Map shows the landform patterns that make up the Cuyahoga Valley and its surroundings.

		+ First Terrace The defining features of the First Terrace are geology and elevation. It is distinct from the Lake Plain in being formed by glacial deposits rather than lake deposits. It rises higher than the Lake Plain to form the first terrace of an inland plateau. Portage Escarpment. On the City of Cleveland's east side the lower edges of the area are a gently sloping escarpment that is oriented in a northeast/southwest direction near the Lake but which curves to an almost north-south orientation as it nears the Cuyahoga River. This hillside, also known as the Portage Escarpment, marks the transition between the beginning of the Plains to the west and the Allegheny Plateau to the east. The hillside also forms the western boundary of the collection of City of Cleveland neighborhoods and suburban communities known as the "The Heights" area. To the west of the Cuyahoga Valley, a similar landform curves away from the river in a northwest direction back toward the lake. Moraines. Moraines, mounds of earth and rocks deposited by glaciers, also characterize these First Terrace areas near Lake Erie. These large mounded areas are responsible for the changes in direction of the courses of a number of the Cuyahoga River's tributaries. The routes of Big Creek, West Creek and Mill Creek are diverted from their northerly flow toward Lake Erie and are redirected toward the Cuyahoga River by these mounded landforms. Schaaf Road follows a portion of the Brooklyn Moraine west of the Cuyahoga River. The Euclid Moraine parallels the Portage Escarpment on the east side. Mesas and Buttes. South along the Cuyahoga River the First Terrace includes the tops of a number of "mesa and butte" landforms that shape the valley's sides. These "mesa and butte" areas are mostly flat with steep forested edges. Much of the First Terrace is also highly dissected by a maze of narrow valleys and ridges. Historically oak and chestnut were numerous along the terraced valley slopes of the Cuyahoga. Development. The First Terrace includes a great deal of desirable land since it immediately overlooks the Valley. Development of these areas is very visible. Nearer Cleveland some of the mesa-like formations have already been developed with commercial projects which may not be the highest and best use of the areas. Further to the south much of the most interesting land is already in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Because of the slopes, visibility and proximity to the Valley, conservation and protection are important issues. In the older and more highly urbanized portions First Terrace areas, the high cost of remediating combined sewers could be offset by a program of retrofitting properties to increase infiltration and provide increased amenities in the form of small parks and other public areas.