The Cuyahoga River: A Launchpad for Opportunity

Flats Forward is dedicated to keeping Cleveland’s Flats neighborhood vibrant, accessible, and safe for residents, visitors, and boaters. Through innovative partnerships, we’re building programs that provide real opportunities for local students, enhance waterfront access, and improve safety for everyone on the Cuyahoga River.

Your support will help us launch and sustain two vital initiatives: Docking into the Future and the Cuyahoga River Live Webcam Safety & Conditions Program.

Docking into the Future

Flats Forward is collaborating with Argonaut to create a first-of-its-kind dock management program utilizing students from Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s Davis Aerospace & Maritime High School.

• Students, alongside an Argonaut Dock Supervisor, provide safe and convenient boat docking at key locations along the Cuyahoga Riverfront

• A major benefit: The program helps secure a U.S. Coast Guard Safety Waiver, allowing 600 feet of legal, managed docking along the Flats East Bank boardwalk.

• A web-based dock reservation system will attract more boaters to Cleveland’s riverfront businesses and public spaces. 

Contributions Fund:

• Training and funding for Argonaut High School students

• Safety equipment installation and maintenance

Your donation will directly support Flats Forward in administering a program that helps students gain valuable career skills while improving safety and access along the Cuyahoga River. 

Cuyahoga River Live Webcam Safety & Conditions Program

Flats Forward is helping to lead a coalition of communities and partner organizations to launch an initiative to improve safety and access along the Cuyahoga River.

This program will deliver:

• A 24/7 live-stream safety and conditions webcam with views of the shipping channel

• Placement of monitored Water Level Gauges along the Federal Shipping Channel

• Integration with websites, maps, and educational tools to help maritime, recreational, and personal boaters make informed, safe choices

Your donation will make the Cuyahoga River safer for everyone, from commercial ships to kayakers and paddle-boarders.

How You Can Help

Your donation keeps these programs afloat — literally. 

Be part of the wave. Help us turn Cleveland’s riverfront into a launchpad for opportunity.