some that I'd like to visit time and time again. Here are a sampling:
Cuyahoga River - Downtown Cleveland, Ohio, USA
The mouth of the Cuyahoga River opens to Lake Erie on Cleveland's north side. Putting-in from the shore off Whiskey Island, one can paddle out to one of the lighthouses to get an excellent panoramic view.
A view on the water in pre dawn can be breathtaking. Be sure to have approved coastguard lighting on to be seen by other boaters.
With the support of Cuyhoga River Restoration and many local organizations, the Cuyahoga River has rebounded in health since the early 1970's. It receives volunteer efforts and funds to restore and protect the environmental quality of the river, nearshore Lake Erie, and select Lake Erie tributary watersheds. Visit their website to download a free Paddle Safe brochure for important information. Here is a map from their site showing the course of the river.
Buffalo, shown below, is one of many typical 700' long lake freighters that navigate through the river. Any small boat has to keep a safe distance from these, especially near the the side thrusters that can suck you in or capsize your boat.
Heading east past the commercial loading docks and the Cleveland Browns Stadium takes you to Northcoast Harbor - home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Great Lakes Science Center.
The old William G. Mather Cleveland Cliffs freighter, permanenetly docked as a museum, flanks the commercial dock also shared for the return of the Tall Ships in July (when scheduling permits). This harbor is also used for the annual swimming portion of the Cleveland Triathalon in which I have participated as a kayak safety coordinator and race leader for many years.
Keeping a look-out on the western mouth of the river sits the old US Coast Guard station, designed in the Art Deco style. It remains closed after 35 years, but fishermen use the outer premises to fish off its pier.
Many bridges span the Cuyahoga as it winds its way around the area, known as "the Flats". Barges, guided by tugboats, may be seen and heard, so give them the right-of-way.
This red swing bridge opens for boat traffic and closes for motor vehicles and pedestrians. The Goodtime III takes passengers on excursions, complete with music, entretainment and history.
The river has gone through rough patches of polutiuon in the past, but has been revitalized with the return of many species of wildlife. The Cleveland Rowing Federation makes its home at Rivergate park and has access on the water. The Cleveland Metropark system owns and operates a riverside restaurant, Merwin's Warf. They also have access to the water for put-ins.
On one adventure, I spotted a deer crossing the 150' wide river. She made it to the other side and temporarily had to swim along the 4' metal river wall before fleeing through an open section.
There are many old and new iron lift bridges connecting downtown that still operate and allow the taller ships to pass underneath. This 73 year old bridge was reconstructed for $32M and took 19 months to complete. It connects Ohio City to downtown Cleveland and access to the river in front of Cleveland Metropark's restaruant "Merwin's Wharf".
In early 2017 Cuyhoga River Restoration asked local artists to submit art for river mile marker signage that would help in safely navigating the first six miles from the mouth on Lake Erie. I entered and was honored, along with four other artists, to have their art chosen. Jane Goodman, executive director (in magenta jacket) presided over the press event and unveiling ceremony on May 20th. Four and four-1/2 mile marker winner Christina Sadowski (center on the right) is flanked by supporters Dan McLaughlan from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and Summer Paris from ArcelorMittal. Jim Ridge, founder of Share the River, documented the event with photography, videos and interviews. He supports CRR in promoting the economic, recreational and social vibrancy of Cleveland's waterfront.
Markers with my art are to be secured to retaining walls at the two, two-1/2, three and three-1/2 mile locations. These are near areas that have habitation resting spots for fish, and are home to many aquatic life near water-filtering lily pads.
A scene from the vantage point of the kayak of the downtown Cleveland skyline.
The fireboat Anthony J. Celebreeze docks on the inner bend at the fire station - ready to respond to a fire emergency on the Cuyahoga. This is right before river marker 2.5.
Another view of the skyline with the high Lorain-Carnegie Bridge overhead. One gets a real sense of scale of these bridges while on the water. This is approximately 2.75 miles from the river's mouth.
My friend Mike and I came across this lake freighter, the Dorothy Ann, unloading gravel near the I-90 bridge. We safely paddle past it through a narrow channel near the wall.
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