Hinckley Lake Dam Rehabilitation
Project Updates
May 2025 - Construction at the spillway has been mostly completed for concrete portions of the work. Crews were shut down over the winter months, but will re-mobilize the coming weeks in anticipation of dredging of the upper lake later this summer. At the spillway, the contractor will continue efforts in restoration of the beach area and a few close-out items for the structure such as railing and fencing. Work is anticipated to be fully complete in Fall 2025. 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
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
