Hinckley Lake Dam Rehabilitation
Project Updates
Oct. 2025 - Dredging of Hinckley was wrapped up in September. Crews successfully removed approximately 45,000 cubic yards of sediment from the lake. At the spillway, efforts are being made to clean up the swim area and restore the beaches. Restoration will be completed in the coming weeks with removal of temporary access points and pavement repairs.
As a continued reminder, for the safety of our visitors, access to the lake is strictly prohibited for the duration of the project.
Construction Progress Photos
Notice: Lake Vegetation
As Hinckley Lake refills, visitors may notice more vegetation in the water than was present prior to construction and dredging efforts. This plant life had the opportunity to establish while the lakebed was drained, and was intentionally left in place by Cleveland Metroparks.
This temporary vegetation will provide beneficial cover and structure for the fish population as Cleveland Metroparks and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources work to restore aquatic life to the lake. The plants can also be additive to watersport experiences, and have already had a marked impact in returning waterfowl to Hinckley Lake.
The submerged conditions of the lake vegetation are not conducive to long-term survival, so park visitors can expect it to substantially die back within 1-2 years. The exact timeframe will depend on winter conditions and the amount of ice formation in the lake.
For a list of common questions and concerns about this project, please view our Hinckley Lake Dam Rehabilitation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) here.
About
This project includes the rehabilitation of Hinckley Dam in the Park District's Hinckley Reservation. The dam, which was completed in 1927, has provided recreation and helped mitigate flooding for nearly a century and created the 87-acre manmade Hinckley Lake. Over the next several years, the rehabilitation project will improve the recreational opportunities Hinckley Lake, raise the height of the existing earthen dam embankment that stretches across the northern portion of the lake and rehabilitate the 150-foot-wide concrete spillway to meet modern standards and provide improved protection in the event of severe flooding.
Over the last century, the Rocky River has deposited a significant amount of silt in Hinckley Lake, which varies in depths from 2-16 feet. Concurrently with the dam rehabilitation, Cleveland Metroparks will remove excess silt deposits in specific areas of the lake to allow for proper depths for recreation.
The project requires that the lake remain drained until the dam rehabilitation is completed which is expected by summer 2026 based on current schedule and funding. Hinckley Reservation remains open throughout the project but access to Hinckley Lake will is prohibited until the project is complete. Staging for the project is occurring at several locations throughout the park including Buzzard Roost. The dam rehabilitation is expected to cost approximately $9-10 million.
See the historical photos below for a glimpse at the original construction of the Hinckley Dam in the 1920s.
Project Type: Reservation Capital Project
Construction Timeline: Begin Fall 2023, complete by Summer 2026
Contact: Sean McDermott, Chief Planning & Design Officer, 216-635-3258 or [email protected]
Project Scope: Complete dam restoration, 150 ft spillway rehabilitation, lake dredging
Consulting Partner(s): Michael Baker International
Contracting Partner(s): Great Lakes Construction
