BEND, Ore. — One of the most discussed topics at the Bend Park and Recreation District Board meeting on Tuesday evening was the Mirror Pond Fish Passage Project, which aims to restore the ability of fish to move freely through the Mirror Pond area of the Deschutes River.

Kris Knight, Executive Director of the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council, provided an update on the project’s progress, noting the significance of removing barriers to fish migration. Knight explained that fish in the river are currently unable to move upstream and downstream, essentially trapped by a “wall” in the water. He emphasized that this migration is crucial to the life cycle of local fish species, as it allows them to reach cooler waters and access other parts of the river.

“We’ve been working on this project for a long time, and we’re close to completing it,” Knight said. “This last fish passage barrier removal will allow fish to move freely throughout the community, which is vital for their survival.”

The fish passage project, which is designed to improve conditions for fish populations in the Deschutes River, has garnered significant community support. Knight is currently leading efforts to raise funds for the final phase of the project, which includes designing and constructing the fish passage structure at Mirror Pond. So far, he has secured a $30,000 bond from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to fund the design of a “Nature-like Fishway” to be implemented at the site.

However, the project’s progress has not been without controversy. During the meeting, there was a heated discussion about the role of PacifiCorp, the dam owner, in the project. Some community members, including local resident Jerry Freilich, Ph.D., voiced concerns that the company should take a more active role in both the planning and financing of the fish passage. Freilich argued that the current fish populations are facing extinction, and Pacific Power, as the owner of the dam, should bear more responsibility for mitigating the impact on the fish.

“The fish are on the brink of extinction, and Pacific Power is the ‘800-pound gorilla’ in the room,” Freilich said. “They need to take a larger role in both the planning and the financing of this project.”

Knight, however, disagreed with this view, asserting that PacifiCorp has been supportive of the efforts to create a fish passage. He confirmed that the company is actively involved in discussions and is providing assistance where possible.

“PacifiCorp is at the table, supporting the effort to create fish passage,” Knight stated. “They are part of the solution.”

The Bend Park and Recreation District confirmed that work on the Mirror Pond Fish Passage Project is expected to begin in 2025 and conclude by 2026. As the community moves forward with the project, all eyes will remain on the continued collaboration between local stakeholders, including the involvement of Pacific Power, to ensure that the restoration of fish passage through Mirror Pond becomes a reality.