BIRKENFELD, Ore. (AP) — The state of Oregon has fined Fishhawk Lake Reserve and Community northwest of Portland $439,200 for draining a reservoir and allegedly killing more than 30,000 fish. The Astorian reports the homeowners association plans to appeal. Fishhawk Lake is a private community around a reservoir which the homeowners association maintains, processes water and treats sewage. The lake feeds into Fishhawk Creek and the Nehalem River. The homeowners association drained the lake in 2019 to fix a broken drain in the dam. The state found draining the lake and the turbidity it caused downstream killed over 20,000 endangered coho salmon, 4,000 steelhead trout, and 5,000 cutthroat trout.
Oregon fines lake reserve community $429K after fish deaths
