Lakeland is a hamlet (and census-designated place) in Onondaga County, New York, United States.

On Thanksgiving Day in 1943, 40,000 tons of industrial waste consisting of calcium carbonate and magnesia flooded Lakeland.

The Post-Standard reported in 1993 that "every tree, shrub or blade of grass within a square mile was dead".

[2][3] All available Onondaga County Sheriff's Office deputies, as well as nearby fire departments, Solvay police, the New York State Police, the American Red Cross, and Solvay Process crews were called in to contain the flood and rescue residents.

There were no reported fatalities, but there were a few people injured, such as an auxiliary military policeman from Solvay Process who was treated for acid burns and two frozen toes after rescuing numerous stranded residents using a rowboat.

Several animals, pets, and livestock were also rescued, though a pig, several geese and ducks, and hundreds of chickens drowned in the sludge.

The investigation also stated that the demand for production during World War II was too great and help was too limited.

[2] The community includes a few gas stations, various food outlets, two churches, a few small restaurants, a car dealership, a credit union, Solvay Middle School, a hotel, and a golf course.

[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2), all land.

Lakeland comprises the area along roughly the northern half of the southwest side of Onondaga Lake (which runs northwest to southeast).