The water level at one of Monmouthshire’s most popular beauty spots is ‘dangerously low’ due to recent dry weather and its use as a vital water source to tackle wildfires in South Wales.

The Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (BBNP) has said even though the wildfire activity in the area is significantly reduced, there is still no public access to Keepers Pond due to the “dangerously low” level of water. Hazards that had previously been hidden have become visible and restrictions apply to all activities in the water.

“As the water has receded, previously hidden hazards and unknown objects have been exposed on the pond bed, creating serious safety risks,” a spokesperson for the BBNP said.

“For your own safety, you must not enter the water under any circumstances. This restriction applies to all activities on or in the water, including swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and any other water-based activities.”

While the car park will remain open, access to the pond itself is not permitted until further notice. We will continue to carry out litter picks at the site.”

“However, we ask that visitors respect the area and do not remove, disturb or interfere with any objects or features revealed by the low water levels. In partnership with CADW, we remind visitors that Keepers Pond is a Scheduled Monument of historical significance, and any disturbance may damage important heritage assets. We appreciate your cooperation as we work to protect both public safety and this important historic site. Updates will be provided as the situation changes.”

The site was shut to the public altogether at the height of the wildfire crisis in nearby Blaenavon and at Llangynidr Moors, when specialist firefighting helicopters took water from the pond to douse the landscape. The military and the fire service also pumped water out of the pond for their trucks.

That, coupled with the recent dry weather period which saw just millimetres of rainfall in a six week period, has been blamed for parts of the pond drying up.