Hinckley Lake to be drained on Sept. 18 as part of rehabilitation process

HINCKLEY TWP. — People visited Hinckley Lake on Thursday to swim, fish and go on kayaks, days before the lake is set to be temporarily drained as part of the Cleveland Metroparks yearslong rehabilitation project. Hinckley Lake is an 87-acre man-made lake that was constructed in 1927. The project consists of raising the height of the earthen dam embankment that is at the northern section of the lake, rehabilitating the concrete spillway and removing silt deposits in specific parts of the lake. According to the Metroparks, it is being done to improve flood protection and recreational experiences at the lake. Bob Rooker is a Cleveland Metroparks volunteer who visits Hinckley Lake frequently. He said many of his favorite memories at the lake revolve around him helping to run youth programs at the lake, where the groups go kayaking and canoeing. He said it is disappointing that he will not be able to come to the lake, but there are other places around the Cleveland area that people can visit to get a similar experience. "The dam does need to be repaired," Rooker said. "It needs to be done. Let's get it done, and it will be great again as soon as it's filled back up." The rehabilitation process will start on Sept. 18 and the lake will remain drained until the project is finished. It is currently estimated that the project will be finished by summer 2026. Access to the lake bed is prohibited once the project begins, but the Metroparks aims to keep as much of the trail system that surrounds the lake open. Certain sections may be closed off during construction. The initial cost estimate to do the project is approximately $9 million to $10 million. The Metroparks will be working with Michael Baker International Inc., The Great Lakes Construction Company, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Army Corp of Engineers throughout the course of the project. Updates on the rehabilitation will be posted throughout the project at bit.ly/45FF7zD. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.