How to Keep Your Water Feature From Freezing This Winter

1. Test the Circulation: "Should I leave my pond pump on in the winter?"

The size of your pump will determine a water feature's ability to run through the winter. If your pump provides at least 2,000 gallons of water per hour, it should be fine. Just make sure the pump runs continuously. The moving water created by a pump usually ensures that there’s a hole in the ice around waterfall or fountain, and in front of the circulation system. However, consecutive days of sub-zero temperatures can lead to excess ice buildup. If that happens, you may need to shut the system down until the ice has melted.

2. Monitor for Ice-Dams

We love the gorgeous ice sculptures that can form on water features. But this beauty can also cause trouble. You don’t want ice to form dams that divert water out of your pond. Keep an eye on the water level. If an ice dam forms and the water level drops dramatically, you may want to turn off the pump for the winter. Otherwise …

3. Add Water to Your Water Feature Regularly

Yes, you can just add water to your pond, waterfall, or fountain to keep things moving and healthy. This can be a challenge in the winter months as outdoor spigots and automatic water fill valves are turned off. This helps prevent the pipes from freezing and cracking. If you need to add water to your water feature in the winter, you may need to get creative. You can run a hose from inside the house or make trips with buckets of water. Be prepared to do this regularly. In the winter, it’s common to need to top off a pond a few times a month.

4. Ask the Pond Pros

At Good Earth Water Gardens, we specialize in creating, maintaining and repairing water features. And as a Certified Aquascape Contractor, we understand the ins and outs of caring for ecosystem ponds. If you have a question or run into issues with your Kansas City-area water feature, we can help – at any time of the year. Contact us at (816) 720-7577 for more information.