Winterizing Your Farm Pond

Get Your Farm Pond Ready for the Winter Months

As our warm summer months come to an end, we receive many questions regarding "pond winterization". Winterizing your pond is an important step to ensure a safe start-up next spring. Here are some easy tips to help you on your way.

1. General Clean-Up Tips: Set aside a few hours to do some picking up around your pond. Clean the inlets or outlets of any debris that may have fallen in, and pick up any sticks or brush that may have fallen into the pond. If debris is left to decompose, it will only contribute to the build-up of nutrients and muck. Continuing applying PondClear until water temperatures dip below 50°F to keep reducing the nutrient load and muck levels in the pond.


2. A Final Pond Treatment: Treat any remaining weeds, with Ultra PondWeed Defense, or algae, with Algae Defense, one more time before winter. This will make for a much cleaner pond in the spring. Allowing vegetation to flourish will only contribute to fish kills. When vegetation naturally dies off under the icecap - oxygen is depleted from the water column. You will also want to use these last few months to get a handle on emergent weeds such as cattails, lilies, or grasses. Use Shoreline Defense to get these weeds killed.


3. Winterize your Aeration System or Fountain: Keeping your aerator running in the winter is a great idea if fish kills are a concern. It will keep the oxygen levels high in your pond and keep a hole in the ice to allow for toxic gases to escape. No winterization is needed if you decide to run your system in the winter. You should shut down your aeration system or fountain if you plan to use your pond for recreation, such as; ice skating, ice fishing, snowmobiling, or riding ATVs on the ice.

If you own an Airmax Aeration System and are shutting it down for the winter:

• Unplug your system.
• Disconnect the airline(s) and plug the lines that lead into the pond with a plug or plastic bag.
• Place your cabinet in a dry, covered area (garage, barn, basement, etc.), to prevent the system from freezing.
• No winterization is needed for the diffusers, they may be left in the pond over the winter.

If you own a Fountain:

• Remove your fountain.
• Depending on the model, minimal winterization is needed.
• If possible bring the fountain and power cord into protected area, mice and other rodents like to chew power cords and components when stored outside. DO NOT cover the unit if stored outside, this only makes a better habitat for varmints.
• Remember to inspect all power cords, props and lights (if applicable) for damage. Winter is the best time to make any necessary repairs.