We have been inundated with email and phone calls this week about the safety of fish and pumps in the recent arctic temperatures we have been blessed with here in Central Kentucky. Therefore, I felt the need to reiterate some basic winter pond tips and offer some trade secrets to get you through the unusual cold weather we are experiencing. As always if you have any specific questions or need assistance please do not hesitate to call or email us.
Ponds
If you have Fish in your pond you MUST NOT let the pond freeze completely solid. Keeping at least a small hole in the ice will allow otherwise fatal gasses to escape from the water and keep your fish healthy. There are several ways you can accomplish this
Keep Your Pump Running - With the recent cold weather this may be a challenge for some pond owners. When your pond and stream freezes the resulting ice takes water from the pond that sometimes drops the pond level so low that your pump does not get sufficient water. There are a couple of ways you can combat this issue.
- Use a Pond Heater - Placing a pond heater near the skimmer will help keep the ice from blocking the waterway into the pump and help keep your pump running.
- Adding Water - Most of the time you will ultimately need to add water to your pond in order to keep your pump circulating. To do this we recommend keeping a “Winter Safety Hose” Handy. This is simply a hose that is stored in a place that will prevent freezing (Garage, Basement, etc). When water is needed simply pull out your “Safety Hose” and store it when finished. I personally recommend allowing all of the water to drain from the hose before storing. Additionally you may need a Hair Dryer or Heat Gun to thaw your outside spigot enough to allow water to flow.
Shut Your Pump Off
While I only recommend this as a last resort sometimes there may be nothing else you can do depending on the design of your pond and pumping system. If you do shut your pump off it is IMPERATIVE that you keep a hole in the ice so your fish can remain safe. a POND HEATER is the easiest and most effective way to achieve this. Also, you should restart your pump as soon as the weather permits.
Pondless Waterfalls
Pondless Waterfalls are a easier to take care of since you don’t have to worry about keeping your fish safe. You have the same 2 options that you do with ponds for dealing with the frigid temperatures. The only exception would be to place the Pond Heater at the base of your waterfall (Where the water enters your basin) so that the water will not be lost outside of your basin resulting in water loss.
Streams
If you have a long stream or a moderate water flow you may experience ice dams in your stream. Most of the time the water will continue to run under the ice. However, if you do experience ice dams there is unfortunately not much you can do other than break the ice, place a Pond Heater in the dammed area or shut your pump down.
Fountains/Bubbling Boulders
The only real issue you should have with fountains and bubbling boulders are ice dams forming at the base causing water to escape. If this happens again you really only have 2 options (break the ice, place a Pond Heater in the dammed area or shut your pump down). Most fountain pumps are below ground and will not be harmed from being shut down.
While many of you may cringe at the frigid temperatures, I personally think that the “Winter Pond” with all of its magnificent natural ice sculptures is one of the most beautiful sights that Mother Nature blesses us with. Until Spring stay warm and enjoy your “Winter Pond”.
Sincerely,
Jeff Duggins
H2O Designs Inc
