Thread: Snow on ponds

If you have a pond that is of marginal depth (around 8 feet, or definetly less), you may want to consider clearing some of the snow off the ice. The snow blocks the light from penetrating the ice and cause the micrscopic algae to use oxygen instead of producing it. This is a recipe for winter fish kills. Clearing a 10 to 20 foot square area in the deepest part of the pond for each acre can help prevent this happening. Fortunately with all the wind we've had the snow may have blown off the ponds. If you do venture out, don't go alone and be sure to check the ice thickness. Generally 3 inches of clear ice is plenty but I usually wait until there is 5 inches. If you are north of the Missouri River this shouldn't be a problem, but please check first.

I'm glad I don't own a pond right now. I hate shoveling my driveway much less a pond!

let them fish die, I aint gettin on the ice,

Originally Posted by MOfishmgr

If you have a pond that is of marginal depth (around 8 feet, or definetly less), you may want to consider clearing some of the snow off the ice. The snow blocks the light from penetrating the ice and cause the micrscopic algae to use oxygen instead of producing it. This is a recipe for winter fish kills. Clearing a 10 to 20 foot square area in the deepest part of the pond for each acre can help prevent this happening. Fortunately with all the wind we've had the snow may have blown off the ponds. If you do venture out, don't go alone and be sure to check the ice thickness. Generally 3 inches of clear ice is plenty but I usually wait until there is 5 inches. If you are north of the Missouri River this shouldn't be a problem, but please check first.

I'm glad I don't own a pond right now. I hate shoveling my driveway much less a pond!

That's interesting information, I don't have a pond but I enjoy some others around here.
The pond I was on today was well covered with snow and according to Earl, it was about 11 ft. Maybe 2 or 3 acres, would that be considered marginal depth on such a small area?
I didn't know that algae would Use o2 instead of produce it, you can explain if it doesn't require an essay
And I've never heard of Micrscopic algae, but I'm not a biologist:D

Good info Mofish, I have a small pond with some transplanted hawgs i would hate to lose. Will get out and do some sweeping.

Don't let the neighbors see ya Lenny.......they may think you ain't right in the head!

Originally Posted by Buckwheat 1

Don't let the neighbors see ya Lenny.......they may think you ain't right in the head!

But on the other hand I keep him in fish so he may come help:D This is going to be a tough week and a half.

is a ice expert, we went through several miles of it already this year, but you might be right, sometimes you wonder if his elevator goes to the top floor....:D

Mofishmgr, that is real good advice. The ice fishermen around here say we've got 5-6", and I'll bet most of it is pretty good ice. Time to go out with a shovel - and an augur, and some wax worms, a five gallon bucket and a teeny short rod.

Microscopic algae (no typo this time!) is called Planktonic algae. It comes in many forms and species. Just think of it as unseen green plants. Green plants use carbon dioxide when the sun is shining to make oxygen. When there is no sunlight, they go into what's called their "dark reaction" and use oxygen and give off carbon dioxide.

Ponds over 10 feet deep regardless of size should be ok. There is plenty of water volume to provide winter refuge. If we don't warm up though in the next week to 10 days, even deeper ponds could have problems. This winter is shaping up to be the worst since I moved to Missouri from Florida in 1986.

Thanks For The Information