Cuyahoga River paddling closure and hazards
Paddlers must portage the active closure near river mile 17 and avoid the impassable debris hazard upstream of Lock 39. - The river-mile-17 closure is caused by bridge demolition and construction. It begins upstream of the Alexander/Pleasant Valley Road bridge and extends downstream of the construction zone; barrier cables with marker buoys extend across the river. Follow signs to portage upstream of the Fitzwater Road bridge: exit on the west side (river left) and relaunch on the east side. - Old metal pylons and timber groynes upstream from Rockside Road/Lock 39 create frequent large woody-debris hazards, and there is currently no navigable path through the debris. Do not attempt to paddle through it. At most flows below 2,000 cubic feet per second, a beach on river right provides a portage; strong paddling skills are needed after the hazard to avoid an additional river-right strainer. - Just before Lock 29, a bedrock shelf and remnants of a lowhead dam create a hazard. Take out upstream; the takeout and portage are not easy. Novice paddlers should put in only at Lock 29/Peninsula and paddle toward Boston. - Between Red Lock and Station Road, two areas of large woody debris involve large trees across the river. At higher flows, roughly above 700 cfs, there is a navigable path; at lower flows, strong paddling skills or a portage are necessary. - Swift currents, log jams, and strainers are common and serious hazards; portage around obvious hazards or areas of uncertainty. After rain, bacteria from combined sewer overflows and storm-water runoff may create a health hazard; check the latest water-quality information before launching. Check current river conditions before launching; stream conditions change.
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