Rich,

If you are located where ice could be a real problem, then plan on lowering
the water below the skimmer weir to keep the skimmer empty. That should
only be a few inches. If you will only have a few inches of ice, and then
for just a few days at a time, I would leave the pumps running through the
skimmer.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html

"Richard Holub" wrote in message
...
Here I go again...No pond yeat...building one in spring...

When designing a pond...should I calculate how low to lower the water for
the winter so that the ice does not damage the skimmer.

Example: top of pond water to match skimmer for summer use...during
winter lower water to clear skimmer and return water jets. Plug jets to
keep water from entering and damaging pipes. Slope on top side of
pond-straight or angled for ice expansion.

Rich