On August 1st, 1995; the J. Burton Ayers was sold Canadian to Lower Lakes Towing Ltd. (Black Creek Shipping Co.), Port Dover, ON who had her towed from Toledo to Sarnia, ON for repainting and refit. The self-unloader was the first laker of the newly formed company. She was renamed Cuyahoga (her first renaming in 52 years) in November of 1995 and was formally registered Canadian on November 7th, 1995. The proud laker's new name honors Ohio's Cuyahoga River, an Indian word meaning "crooked river"; a winding river where some of her new owner's customers are located. The Cuyahoga left Sarnia in mid-November on her maiden voyage light to Meldrum Bay, ON for a load of limestone which was delivered to Cleveland on November 16th.

While at winter lay-up in Sarnia in 1999/00, the Cuyahoga had her original Lentz steam engine replaced with a new Caterpillar 3608 4-stroke cycle in-line 8 cylinder 3,084 b.h.p. diesel engine burning marine diesel oil. This new engine has the basic overall dimensions of 18' 03" (5.56m) long x 5' 08" (1.72m) wide x 8' 08" (2.64m) high with a dry weight of 41,800 lbs. (19,000 kg). During the winter lay-up of 2001/02 at Sarnia, a KaMeWa controllable pitch propeller was installed. This combination gives the Cuyahoga a service speed of 12.4 m.p.h. The self-unloader displaces approximately 6,130 tons (6,228 tonnes) lightweight.
in the Welland Canal