On this emergency upload — and possibly the shortest episode in Fishing the DMV history — I’m joined by Clint Outlaw to break down the latest information surrounding the Gardy’s Mill Pond Dam breach, the ongoing Gardy’s Mill Road / Route 617 closure, and the growing community effort to protect this historic Virginia fishery from being permanently lost.

Gardy’s Millpond, located near Callao, Virginia on the Northumberland and Westmoreland County line, has been impacted by a serious dam breach near the primary spillway box culvert. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is currently working on an interim repair and stabilization plan while engineers evaluate the full extent of the damage.

In this episode, we discuss what is currently known about the dam failure, why the pond may need to be drained, what the trench through the dam could mean for the future of the lake, and why anglers, local residents, and conservation-minded outdoorsmen are signing a petition to help make sure Gardy’s Mill Pond is not completely destroyed.

DWR has stated that the pond level has not yet dropped below the breach area, which means engineers still cannot fully assess the damage. In the meantime, contractors are expected to construct a trench through the dam down to the pond bed. This would help drain the pond, reveal the breach location, relieve pressure on the dam, protect the structure from further erosion, and reduce the need for daily safety monitoring.

We also cover the upcoming public open house for Gardy’s Millpond, where the public will be invited to review potential plans and speak directly with DWR staff and engineers.

📍 Gardy’s Millpond Public Open House
Date: Thursday, May 28
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Callao Fire Department
Address: 314 Northumberland Highway, Callao, VA 22435

If you fish Gardy’s Millpond, live near the Northern Neck, care about Virginia public fishing access, or want to protect small historic fisheries across the region, this is an important episode to watch and share.

🎣 Topics Covered:
• Gardy’s Mill Pond Dam breach update
• Gardy’s Mill Road / Route 617 closure
• Virginia DWR interim repair plan
• Public access and boat ramp closure
• Potential draining of Gardy’s Millpond
• Petition to save Gardy’s Mill Pond
• Community meeting and open house details
• Northern Neck Virginia fishing access
• Dam safety, spillway damage, and erosion concerns
• Future of Gardy’s Millpond fishing

Please share this episode with anyone who fishes, lives near, or cares about Gardy’s Millpond, Callao, Northumberland County, Westmoreland County, and Virginia public fishing access.

Sign the petition to help save Gardy’s Mill Pond Dam down below:

Grady's Mills Petition

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