What to Do with Your Pond During a Short Freeze
Quick Answers
- Temperature: Forecasts show air temperature, not water temperature. Your pond cools more slowly than the air.
- Depth: Deeper ponds need less. Shallow ponds cool faster.
- Pump: Keep it running, but turn off waterfalls and nozzles.
- Fish: They can stay. Keep an opening in the ice.
- Feeding: Stop when the water reaches 50°F.
Temperature
The weather forecast always gives air temperature. Your pond's water temperature is a different thing, so keep the two apart when you plan for a freeze. Water cools more slowly than air, so a short dip in air temperature often won't freeze your pond, and it's even less likely to freeze it completely.
Depth of Your Pond
Pond depth matters too. The shallower the pond, the faster the water temperature drops. The ground around your pond acts as a natural insulator and helps keep it warmer. The deeper your pond, the less you'll need to do during a short freeze.
Your Fish
A short freeze can feel stressful if you have fish, but most of the time they can stay put.
- Keep your pump running: Turn off any waterfalls and nozzles, but keep the pump going for your fish and plants.
- Keep an opening in the ice: Use an aerator or de-icer. If the pond does freeze over, pour boiling water on one spot to melt an opening.
- Never break the ice: The noise can shock your fish and seriously harm them.
- Stop feeding at 50°F: Fish slow down in cold water.
Planning to move your fish indoors? That's for ponds that will freeze solid, where you close the pond down for the season. A short freeze usually won't get you there, so you can likely wait until it passes. See our closing guide for the full steps.
FAQs
Should I turn off my pump during a short freeze? No. Keep it running and turn off waterfalls and nozzles.
Will a short freeze freeze my whole pond? Unlikely. It takes a lot to freeze an entire pond, and the deeper your pond, the less likely it is.
Do I need to bring my fish inside? Usually not. Fish only need to come inside if your pond will freeze solid.
