How cold does winter get where you live? 32˚ Fahrenheit? 0˚? Colder? If you have a pond with water features, now is the time to prepare for the freezing weather that winter will bring. A little extra work this fall will save you a big headache once the temperature drops below freezing. Exactly what do you need to do? That depends on how cold you expect temperatures to be.

Pond Maintenance for Temperatures Below -10˚F

When temperatures fall deep into negative numbers, the best way to prevent damage to water features is by shutting them down for the season. Pumps, tubing, and liners can all begin to crack when water freezes solid. If there’s any danger of a pond or water feature freezing solid, you should either completely drain it of water, or else install a heater to keep water temperatures up.

Ponds, fountains and other water features that are lined with porous material or a rigid plastic are all in danger of cracking. Start by removing any plants and fish, moving them inside for the winter. Then use a water pump or siphon to completely drain the water feature. Keep pumps and tubing indoors, in a garage or shed, over the winter. You’ll want to keep the pump stored in water. Winter is a good time to clean them before storing.

Pond Maintenance for Milder Climates

If you live in an area where winter weather doesn’t drop into the negatives, you can often get by without draining your backyard water features. Just remember, if there is any danger of freezing temperatures, you’ll want to shut down your waterfalls, fountains, and/or pond pumps. Otherwise, you could drain your pond as it freezes.
To prevent the main surface of the pond from freezing over, there are a couple options:

1. Use a floating de-icer; this is a type of heater that automatically turns on when the water surface temperature drops below freezing.
2. Aeration near the surface can leave a hole open in the ice is ideal when a pond gets to freezing temperatures

There’s no doubt that fall and winter are busy times for pond owners. Starting from the time leaves begin to fall from trees, all the way through the beginning of spring, your pond will need extra care and attention to keep it running well. Even so, it is well-worth the effort, since with proper planning and care, a pond can also be enjoyed year-round.
pond boss® is a leading manufacturer of both equipment and water features for ponds. For year-round advice on keeping your pond accessories and backyard water features in top shape, visit the pond boss® blog at www.thepondboss.net/pondblog.