Hillsboro Man Drowns At Hagg Lake, Police Say

GASTON, OR — Deputies with the Washington County Sheriff's Office on Monday confirmed the drowning death of a 68-year-old Hillsboro man at Hagg Lake Sunday.

Shortly before 6:45 p.m. July 30, deputies were called to Henry Hagg Lake in western Washington County, north of Gaston, after Mark Allan Cuddigan went underwater and did not return near Bobcat Cove.

Cuddigan was swimming with a friend prior to his disappearance and was not believed to be wearing a life preserver, deputies said.

Around 2 a.m. July 31, Cuddigan's body was located in the water and recovered by Gaston Fire District crews. Cuddigan was delivered to the Washington County Medical Examiner, who determined there was no foul play in Cuddigan's death.

Click here for more information on water safety at Hagg Lake.

With high temperatures expected to break records this week, deputies and county officials remind those who plan to recreate and cool off at Hagg Lake to always wear life vests while in the water.

Several people have drowned at the lake over the past 10 years, including four members of the same family in August 2014. That incident led to a $4 million lawsuit against the county, which a judge dismissed this past April after determining the county could not be held liable for "deaths or injuries that occur during recreational use" of public lands.

Most of the reported drowning accidents have occurred near steep underwater drop-offs on the lake's northeast side, leading county officials to post signs acknowledging the danger as well as provide a number of life vest kiosks around the lake.

Image: Travis Loose, Patch News