What kind of filtration system do you have and how big is the pond? One of the things you DONT want to do is clean out the whole pond, that will kill the beneficial bacteria. The only time you would want to do a total clean out is if the pond has a thick build up of sludge on the bottom which can be harmful. What kind of plants are in the pond?

Welcome arlene!
As greenbean said, the more info you can give about the pond, even if you know little will help. For instance: how wide, how long, how deep. Do you have a pump, or filters, what kind, how big. Lots of plants, none? what kind? If you don't know thats ok, but there are tons of good people here to help!

Did you get any instructions from the previous owners for the pond?

And I agree, you probably don't want to remove everything and scrub it clean, much as you may want to. You may disrupt the 'balance' of a good pond. You will probably need to spend a few minutes each week to do 'pond maintenance' just as you would spend alittle time each week tending a flower bed.

Can you post pictures? Alot of us use free photobucket.com. If you don't know how, we can help with that too.

Hope we can help :)

Hey Arlene. There are several regulars on this forum from zone 4. I'm sure they will check in soon. I'm in zone 5 and my pond just hit 55oF which is when I would expect to start doing things to the pond although the season is early this year. The things that we/they might need to know if you know: how big is the pond (how deep, how many gallons?), do you have a pump and filtration system, is there a waterfall or fountain, what temperature is the water and is there a bad smell. What have you been doing? Things we would find interesting: is it a preformed or liner type pond, are there any plants that stayed in over the winter? Happy ponding. Sandy

Welcome Arlene, as the others have said, the more information you can give the better.
But in saying that, if the pond has been sitting there un-loved and un-cared for, it maybe better that you drain it and give it a good mucking out.
Then you know where you are starting from!

Information that would be helpful, would be......

Size of pond? Diameter [or whatever shape?] and Depth?

EPDM liner or a Preformed pond shell?

Size of pump [if you can read the size]?

Filter type, if any?

Waterfall or fountain[or both]?

Waterlilies/plants?

"Horton"

Welcome to the Party/Addiction. Don't try to get to crazy with that thing or you will wear yourself out and then begin to hate it pretty soon. :) GOOD LUCK!!!!

Karen

There's loads of knowledgable people here, I learn much from them every day! :)

About the goldfish though... this seems to be an immediate issue. The one thing I really suggest (besides what the others have said) is to take sample of pond water up to the local fish/aquarium/pond store and have them test it for you. Many places will do this for free, as you're just starting out you might save yourself that headache of trying to learn about water testing kits. In the long run, however, you should get yourself a testing kit and learn to use it.
It is a bit cold there still, fish should still be in hybernation or just coming out of (unless you keep it heated in winter - do you?) sleep. So if they're dying off this early there could be something seriously out of whack.
Get your water checked for ammonia, nitrate levels and PH, as well as anything else they can tell you. A PH crash can kill fish quickly, as can large levels of ammonia or lethal gasses (caused by decomposing matter) built up in the substrate.
Patial water changes can initially help to balance the pond and reduce stress on the fish, but the reasons for the ill water conditions need to be addressed for a permenant solution.

Have you cleaned it out yet? If you have - did the fish begin to die before or after you did? My bet would be either a ph crash or gas build up.
I like to drain and clean once a year in the Spring. I do save some of the water and filter media to save back the beneficial bacteria that the others have mentioned.
I go out every couple days or once a week to net out the stray leaves and debris that have found their way in, to keep it from builing up on the bottom and creating stagnant gas.

Good luck with your pond, I am sure with help here (and freindly terms with your local aquatics retailer) you'll learn pretty quick. Ponding does take a fair amount of work, but is extremely relaxing! Have fun and good luck!