The public has the opportunity to let their voices be heard on what happens to the only public freshwater pond in Northumberland County—and one of only four public ponds in the Northern Neck.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is inviting the public to review and comment on the Gardy Mill Pond dam during an open house on May 28 at the Callao Fire Department.

On May 10, 2025, a breach in the dam at Gardy’s Mill Pond, located on the border of Westmoreland and Northumberland counties, was detected. The breach undermined the roadway and caused the immediate shutdown of both the road and the pond.

The first step was to lower the water level so engineers could assess the dam and determine how to repair it. To do this, a trench was constructed through the dam to allow the water table to drop below the structure. This relieved pressure on the dam so it could be stabilized.

Once that was done, it created a non-operational dry fire hydrant that both counties had relied on to fight fires in the area. This remains a safety concern for residents and the county.

On May 28, the public can stop by from 5–7 p.m. to review and comment on several potential plans for Gardy’s Mill Pond and the associated dam. DWR staff and engineers from Hurt and Proffitt will be available to answer questions related to the dam and potential paths forward.