Broomhilda wrote:

Many cattle farmers in WV put a log into their remote ponds. This allegedly
helps keep an open space. I assume that the sun hitting the dark bark heats
the log and thus keeps the area around it ice free. Don't know if this is
nonsense or not.

Yes, that would work. The log would freeze in place now and then, but
an open spot will develop near the log after a day or two.