“We want to talk to community groups and watershed groups in the area in order to see what should be done. Should the dam be replaced and, if it is replaced, what kind of a structure would be put in? These are the kind of questions we want the community to help us answer,” said Richard Brown, Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry.

The minister said any future construction work around the pond would have to be evaluated for environmental effects.

Government would seek assistance for construction from federal disaster relief funding.

The dam at Scales Pond failed Saturday, sending a large volume of water, ice and silt into the Dunk River. Rains and rapid snow melt are believed to have contributed to the dam’s failure.

Scales Pond was established in the early 19th century as a mill pond and, in the 1920s, was used to power a hydroelectric generating station. In the 1930s, Scales Pond became popular as a trout fishing location.

Further assessment of the site will not be possible until it has become more stable.

Because of the nature of the site, members of the public are asked to observe warning tape and barricades erected at the scene and to remain well back from the banks of the pond and river.