CALAIS, Vt. (WCAX) - A tiny Vermont town bands together to preserve a pond and prevent disaster.

In 2023, the Curtis pond dam was already crumbling when floodwaters made things worse. It took everyone in town to build a new one.

Bev and Don Heise survey the brand new Curtis pond dam mere feet from their home.

It’s their first stress-free summer in decades.

On July 10, 2023, the couple rushed outside to tarp the top of the Curtis Pond dam as its stones washed away.

“Suddenly, they started sliding, and eventually they were at a pretty big angle,” said Bev.

“But it was a 200-year-old dam. That’s what we expect. It’s amazing that it lasted that long,” said Don.

Calais has fought for a new dam for what feels like forever.

The 2023 flood found them unprepared and emphasized just how much

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