Hinckley dam project set for 2026, now ‘hurricane-ready’

by Chris Studor

It’s been nearly a year since the Cleveland Metroparks began the temporary draining of Hinckley Lake in preparation for the rehabilitation of the 87-acre lake’s nearly 100-year-old dam and spillway.

Though hikers and picknickers have been able to keep enjoying the park this summer, the once picturesque views of the lake and boathouse have been replaced by views of construction equipment and supplies.

With this year’s construction season winding down, Cleveland Metroparks officials say there’s still quite a bit more work to be done before the lake is reopened to the public in the summer of 2026.

According to Sean McDermott, chief planning and design officer of Cleveland Metroparks, said the goal is to modernize the dam and ensure it complies with today’s building standards.

“The previous dam certainly stood the test of time,” said McDermott. “When completed, the [new] dam will meet what is termed PMF standards, [which stands for] Probably Maximum Flood. That means the dam could withstand the force of a hurricane.”

Cleveland Metroparks has partnered with consultant Michael Baker International Inc. on the overall design of the dam rehabilitation project, estimated at approximately $9 million. The construction itself is being performed by the Great Lakes Construction Company; however, the Cleveland Metroparks has been coordinating with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Army Corp of Engineers throughout the project.

Prior to construction, McDermott said the Metroparks coordinated with ODNR for the protection and relocation of wildlife for the duration of the project. Once the project is complete, he said the lake will be restocked with fish under the guidance of park aquatic biologist Mike Durkalec.

McDermott said he’s frequently been asked by lake-goers how the water was drained from the lake. To the surprise of many, he said there is actually a drain at the bottom of the lake which was opened to let the water flow into the Rocky River.

“At times the lake would partially refill when it rained a lot,” McDermott said, noting that additional draining was required on more than one occasion.

Through rehabilitation, McDermott said the earthen dam at the north end of the lake is being raised to add additional storage capacity to the lake, which will, in turn, provide downstream protection in the event of severe flooding.

“The concrete spillway structure is being rehabilitated to accommodate this extra water storage and to meet modern structural standards,” he said, noting the 150-foot concrete spillway is 4-feet-thick at some points.

When completed, the new dam will stretch across 150 feet with an earthen dam on both sides. McDermott said the concrete sides by the swim lake were purposely designed with a curve to make it more aesthetically pleasing. He said the swimming area will remain nearly the same as it was previously with the deepest parts reaching a depth of approximately 16 feet.

When walking the construction area with McDermott, project Superintendent Andrew Webner, of Chippewa Lake, took a moment to comment on the project.

“Usually, I don’t get to see construction projects much once we’ve finished,” Webner said. “Living so close, this is one project where I’ll be able to see the fruits of my labor. I have always enjoyed the lake.”

McDermott said the project will likely be halted during the upcoming winter months, but work will resume once temperatures begin to warm next spring. ∞

On our cover (photo): The Hinckley Reservation may have been open to hikers and picnickers this summer, but those who enjoy the lake for swimming and canoeing have at least one more summer to go without. Crews will continue to repair the dam in 2025 and the lake is expected to reopen in the summer of 2026. Photo by Chris Studor.

The Hinckley dam is nearly 100 years old and is now being rehabilitated by the Cleveland
Metroparks. Workers will likely break for the winter. Photo by Chris Studor.

Water still trickles from the dam flowing into the pipe in the swim lake and into the
Rocky River. Photos by Chris Studor.

A curve design was intentionally made for the sides of the dam to provide more of an
aesthetic look.