The Cuyahoga River Conditions Tool, or CUYAC, a safety tool that makes close to real-time condition reports available for the Cuyahoga River, will be upgraded using a $110,000 grant.

LED indicators will be developed at river access points that reflect the conditions displayed on CUYAC’s online map, making near real-time river and weather information more visible to visitors before they enter the water. The funding comes from a Knight Cities Challenge grant from John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. 

CUYAC (pronounced kayak), developed by the City of Akron, uses a GIS map-based system that combines multiple sources of credible, frequently updated data on river and weather conditions for public access sections of the Cuyahoga River.

Launched in June with the Cuyahoga River Water Trail partners, the tool allows visitors to review conditions along different sections of the river, locate public access points and identify hazards before heading out. 

The Cuyahoga River is visible throughout various points along the Missing Link trail in Merriman Valley's Cascade Valley Metro Park.
The Cuyahoga River is visible throughout various points along the Missing Link trail in Merriman Valley’s Cascade Valley Metro Park. (Michelle DeShon / Akron Documenters)

How does CUYAC identify risk levels? 

  • Teal means lower-risk conditions. Those accessing the river should still use caution and stay alert for hazards, but conditions are generally favorable.
  • Yellow means high-risk conditions exist. The weather, low/high flow conditions, and/or temperatures pose heightened risk to those who access the river. Caution should be exercised.
  • Orange means extreme risk. The river conditions are hazardous, and it is best not to enter the waterway. Keep your distance from the bank as well.

“The Cuyahoga River’s restoration has created new opportunities for people to connect with the river and enjoy everything it offers,” said Akron Mayor Shammas Malik at a Tuesday morning press conference at the Valley View area inside Cascade Valley Metro Park. “As more people return to the water, we want them to have accessible information that helps them make informed decisions.”

The project is a collaboration between the City of Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Summit Metro Parks and the Cuyahoga River Water Trail partnership. 

The CUYAC project is one of 29 selected for the 2026 Knight Cities Challenge, a $5 million open call supporting ideas in Knight’s 26 communities, including Akron.

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Hazards on the Cuyahoga River should always be considered

CUYAC is intended to be an additional tool and should not replace an assessment of risk based on an individual’s skill, experience, competence and comfort level with constantly changing conditions, the Cuyahoga River Water Trail partners emphasized in a press release when the tool launched in June.

The Water Trail partners also stressed that: 

  • The risk of injury or death is inherent in all conditions.
  • A personal flotation device is always recommended.
  • In every scenario, users enter the river at their own risk. 

The system identifies where there are rapids, no-paddle zones, low-flow conditions and where public access points are “take out only” on the river map.  

CUYAC signs are limited to six locations — view a map of the sign locations here. Visitors to the river can scan the QR code on the safety signs near river access points or visit bit.ly/CUYACmap. 

For additional information about the Cuyahoga River Water Trail, go to www.cuyahogariverwatertrail.org.

Editor’s note: The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is a financial sponsor of Signal Akron. 

Editor-in-Chief (she/her)
Zake has deep roots in Northeast Ohio journalism. She was the managing editor for multimedia and special projects at the Akron Beacon Journal, where she began work as a staff photographer in 1986. Over a 20-year career, Zake worked in a variety of roles across departments that all help inform her current role as Signal Akron's editor in chief. Most recently, she was a journalism professor and student media adviser at Kent State University, where she worked with the next generation of journalists to understand public policy, environmental reporting, data and solutions reporting. Among her accomplishments was the launch of the Kent State NewsLab, an experiential and collaborative news commons that connects student reporters with outside professional partners.