During cold snaps, the pond is very important to some!
It was 8° F (-13° C) when I looked out my kitchen window at the pond and saw a good number of birds at the pond! This winter koi pond is so beautiful, but that’s not all!
Winter Koi Ponds are for the Birds!
I love that the pond is supporting our local ecosystem. When we are in the deep freeze of winter there are few places animals can go for water. Even local (and larger) ponds may be completely frozen over. These beauties were all over the waterfall chirping and drinking (and giving me the side eye as I tried to get their photo). Even though it is very cold, they still need water!
It has been BRUTALLY cold here the last few days! I woke up 2 days ago and it was -12° F, yesterday it got down to -8° F and as I am taking the pictures and videos it is 8 ° F. I don’t tell you this because I am a weather fanatic, but because how frozen the pond is not just dependent on the current temperature but, if it has been at low temperatures for days on end like it has here.
I have written many times about the importance of having aerators and a deicer for the health of the fish and here we can see that the benefit of having open areas of water that have not been iced over, extends to other animals. They hopped between the water available at the aerators and the water from the heater when they could not find a comfortable spot for themselves at the waterfall. I do think the waterfall was their favorite.
This is a link to an AirMax Aerator that is just right for a pond with roughly 2000 gallons. Don’t know how many gallons are in your pond? Go to my Pond Gallons Calculator to find out.
Take a look at how the ice formed so beautifully on the pond! This is an Aquascape Floating Deicer (above). The light is blue when it is on. I find it easier to see the light color when it is dark outside. This is what we have in our pond. I find it uses less electricity than some other deicers too.
What do other sources have to say about ponds in the winter?:
Winter Pond Maintenance by Chicago Ponds
Read more about ponds HERE and if you think your system may have a leak read THIS.