Update: I just took a look at the statue. The height that water has to rise is,actually, only 15".

I don't actually have any experience. But .... living amidst a whole bunch of retention ponds on sand - I've done a lot of observing. I have long suspected that many of the retention ponds (around here) that have floating fountains must have them on some sort of depth auto shut-off. So that if the water level drops too low the pump shuts off. Even though we are the sunshine state, I don't think a solar floating fountain is going to provide much aeration. Though maybe wind powered? ~dianne

I am interested in this as well. We have a small basal column and I refuse to dig up the pathway to run electricity to it. I'd love to find a powerful enough solar pump under $100, but I've looked everywhere.

My approach in keeping the Herons out of my ponds both large and small and still accommodate my bullfrogs need to forage on land and return to the water when threatened has worked for me for many years. For the smaller ponds I push small aprox. 1/4" bamboo sticks every 3-4 feet around the perimeter of the pond along the edge. Then I stretch the net over the pond leaving a 3-4" gap for the frogs to come and go until they go into hibernation in early winter at the bottom of the pond. Then I pull the steaks and use rocks to hold the net in place which helps keep leaves out till the next spring. My large pond 16 x 19 is too large to stretch a net and since I need access to the lilies during the warm months and in the fall to cut them back I use a fido electric fence, not expensive at Tractor supply, around the pond. I employ 1/4" green tomato stakes cut 4' long pushed one foot deep. I then string the fencing around the pond wrapping around each post and continue around the pond. I one string at the top one in the middle and one 6" off the ground. This keeps raccoons and herons out but the frogs and ducks are fee to come and go. Of course I leave an access point where I can disconnect the wires to do my pond maintenance when needed. Both systems are safe and easy on the eye. It takes me maybe 0ne hour to set it up come spring once I remove the winter net.