Originally Posted by TicTac1
New member - read through the posts but still confused on aeration in the winter time. I was advised to keep aerator on through the winter to keep pond open and prevent a freeze of the pond. Located in Missouri and pond will freeze over the top - like last year. Outside temps will get into the teens and rarely into single digits. Smallish pond - 4 years old. 1/3 acre and 14’ depth. Have not taken temp of water at any time. Bass and blue gill pond for kids to fish. Any reason not to keep aerator on other than electricity cost and wear and tear. Thanks for advice.


Depending on the biochemical O2 demand in your pond, it might help prevent a winterkill. For winter aeration, put the diffuser so it's 1/4 the total pond depth, close enough to shore that the ice melts all the way to the shore. That way if anything were to go swimming it wouldn't have to climb up on the ice to get out of the pond water. You don't have to have the whole pond ice free, 10% of the surface area is enough.

In your case, if your pond is truly 14' deep, then put the diffuser 3 feet below the surface of the water.

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