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Ponds & Aquatic Plants

Cold Weather Freezing Pond

15 years ago

Well, it's been about 5F for the last 2 days. Pond surface froze up despite precautions. I have 2 pumps running, and an aquarium bubbler going full speed.

I've gone out the last 2 mornings and poured boiling water on the thin spots, and opened up access to the water. Many birds appreciate it, as I had about 20 doves perched waiting to drink, and assorted starlings, chickadees, a couple of rabbits, and unknown others.

In the thick spots, water looks to be frozen about 8-10".

Merry Christmas!

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Comments (9)

sleeplessinftwayne
15 years ago
What with the ice storm the past two days our temps went down to -11oF last night. I got up at 4:30 thinking the waterfall must be frozen so it was a double surprise when I opened the door and could hear the water falling just fine. Since it always froze at warmer temps, I have to figure this out....nahhh. I'm just going to enjoy it. Merry Christmas. Sleepless
groundbeef1
Original Author
15 years ago
Wow, Sleepless, I would have pulled the plug on the waterfall weeks ago. I'm always worried that an ice damn will form, and drain the pond! Afterall, Niagra falls even can ice over!

Good luck!
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johnkr
15 years ago
Gee GroundBeef, I must have the right combination. My temperature was 2 degrees at 7am and probably sub zero last night. My aquarium pump is the only thing running at the pond and it's maintaining an 8" hole. The wind chill is about 20 below and about half of the pond is snow covered, so I'm using binoculars to monitor the ice hole from inside my home(LOL).

I've moved my two 14" air stones close together, but I don't think it helps. If they were spread apart, I would probably have two 8" holes forming a figure eight. I think I'll spread them if the ice thaws.

A stock tank heater might be a good investment. My 1500 watt model melts through ice and snow in minutes. Much easier then hauling hot water over the snow on very cold mornings. I've used my heater once in the past two years, but I'm glad I have it.

Merry Christmas!
groundbeef1
Original Author
15 years ago
John,

Thanks for commenting. My pond is located near my house, in a corner, with a wall on the north and east sides. I think it gets a lot of circular wind on it.

Pouring water on it doesn't bother me so much, as I have to go out to feed the birds. I like to allow them to have fresh water as well (the birds).

I looked at heaters before, but the electrical cost would outweigh the benfits for me.
johnkr
15 years ago
Actually, I used the stock tank heater one time two years ago. I got some freezing rain after two feet of snow and then a deep freeze. The pond was covered with icy snow that was too hard to shovel. I was able to melt through the ice/snow in about an hour. Then my bubbler took over and I put the heater back in the box.

I agree that a device using 1500 watts is very expensive to operate. The thing is, you only use it to open the hole. An inch of ice would probably take 5 minutes to melt through. I have a remote control for my outdoor Christmas decorations and I would use it with the heater if necessary.

I also get a lot of birds drinking from my pond this time of year. They have it ruff when most of their water supply is below a layer of ice. I worry about the other animals who visit my pond. The bubbles keeps the ice very thin around the hole and I'm always afraid I'm going to find a dead squirrel or cat when the ice thaws.
groundbeef1
Original Author
15 years ago
Well better a squirrel or cat than a walrus. That would be a real pain to haul out.
aquawise
15 years ago
If you keep the air stone 6 to 12 inches under the surface then the air will keep a larger clearer hole in the ice. The deeper the stone the smaller the line of bubbles so the smaller the hole.
thecitychicken
15 years ago
Just an update on my pond... We live in the Pacific Northwest. As you might have heard on the news, our area just got the most snow since 1968. So my pond is covered with snow and ice. I didn't know any better so I just left the waterfall pump running. It has been what has kept the pond from freezing solid. No matter the amount of snow or temp (down to 8 degrees, very unusual for around here), that little submersible pump has kept on going, just enough to do the trick. Amazing! If that water hadn't continued to flow throughout this snow storm, I believe my goldfish would be in a pond-shaped block of solid ice. --Katy

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:236733}}
groundbeef1
Original Author
15 years ago
Thecitychicken-

Nice place there in the PNW. I was in Portland last year when my wife had some business there. Great micro-brews!

Glad your pond did well. Unless your pond is less than 20" it wouldn't have frozen, and the fish would have been ok. The problem with a waterfall, is that sometimes it can "dam" up, and divert the flow of the pond outside of the pond! So you wake up in the morning with a dry pond bed, dead fish, and a 500gallon skating rink!

I take the hose that normally feeds my waterfall, and simply re-direct it right back into the pond. I leave it about 1" off the surface of the water, causing some air to be injected into the water. It keeps the water moving, but I don't lose sleep thinking about the pond draining.

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