GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post - 15 inch deep enough for winte in Michigan?

Derek Broughton · 26-11-2007, 04:14 PM posted to rec.ponds.moderated

wrote:

YES. altho 15" is really the limit.
#1 way to keep water open is covering the pond as close to the surface as
#possible.
EVEN IF THE ELECTRICITY GOES OUT, this will keep the pond pretty open, at
least slow freezing for several days.

Nobody has mentioned a technique usually used for somewhat deeper ponds.
_After_ ice forms, pump a little water out to leave a gap between the ice
and water. This works as well as covering with plastic, but I suspect it's
a bit too tricky to try it with only 15" to work with in the first place.
--
derek