On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 10:47:33 CST, Chip wrote:

I may not appreciate the volume of leaves you have to deal with (I lived
in Annapolis and know your region well), but it seems that covering the
pond with screen(s) defeats the purpose of having a pond. Unless you
are just raising fish to be sold, a pond IMHO is for gazing at something
alive and natural, especially the fish. All the money and effort to
make it look natural, then covering that with wood frame screening?

Could you use your leaf blower with the wet leaves on the pond? A pool
leaf net might work for you. It is fast and easy in my pool. How about
a thing like a two handed saw, but instead of a saw blade, a net that
scoops up all the surface leaves in one pass.
Chip

In Gail's case, I bet she plans to take those screens off after the leaves
have all fallen. You may have an easier set up, smaller pond, or never had
to deal with very many leaves in a pond at one time? Trust me, they are a
PITA and toxic to the fish if left too long. Plus, depending on the type of
tree, they can change the water from clear to dark tea in color, nothing
pleasant to look at there.

In my case, I'm not much for pond gazing when it is freezing out. Since my
deck is straight above the koi ponds, I can see the fish thru the screens
(if no snow) and what are they doing? Sitting on the bottom, doing nothing
much. But with the screens, I have the security of knowing nothing can get
to them, nor will I have to try to pull blown leaves (from neighbors who
don't pick them up) out of the ponds when it is only 33F out and disturbing
sleeping fish. ;-) I like my winter stress free, for both myself and my
fish. In addition, the screens actually help hold in some heat, especially
if we have snow, I get an igloo affect, no ice, even in freezing temps.
~ jan
------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us
------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us