There is something called a No-Niche skimmer that has a floating basket that
covers 6" or so. You may wish to look at their diagrams and see if you can
jerry-rig something yourself to cover the greater distance.

Lee

"Doctor John" wrote in message
...
We have a fairly large pond - about 8000 gallons, 4 1/2 ft at deepest
point.
I'd like to use a skimmer, but we are in a drought here in Colorado, and
the
water level varies by as much as a foot (not enough well water to top it).
Any ideas on skimmer which works over such a height variation? I may try
building one, but if someone else has some thoughts on this, I'd sure
appreciate it.

Thanks

John