Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Threadfin shad survival in Texas

Cold front has hit E Texas and I found no TFS floaters yesterday. Our temp was @ 34 @ the farm. The surface water temp was at or near 50 degree F 20' from the shoreline where the water temp was 48. This morning the weather temp is at or near 17 but will be back up to 68 to 70 in a couple of days. We will have one more day of this colder weather before it starts warming back up. I remember seeing a chart or a report on water temps from surface to pond bottom but have not been able to locate it here. Anyone have an idea about water temps and how they keep warmer as you go deeper in Texas ponds during the winter? Is there a chart out here about such things? I may lose my tfs this winter. I hope Todd Overton does not lose his TFS. If TFS can be found through Overtons and I may have to restock but I hope the water temps don't reach 42 at or near the 9 to 10' bottom of the pond. The pond is still down from out summer and fall drought. If I lose them I will most likely stock the Tp that Todd posted here along with some 10,000 more TFS in April. It would be nice to not lose the TFS this year.

Tracy,
I am unsure if I am going to answer your question, but here goes.

As water cools it sinks (due to density). This happens down to around 39 degrees F due to its density curve. At around 39 degrees F cooler water starts to "float" due to its density being less than the 40 degree water. From then on as that water cools, it stays on top and finally freezes. The water under the ice will continue this process with the less dense water floating. Now if you want to know the formulas, better ask an expert.

Here is the thread you are looking for.

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=3890&Number=38397#Post38397

There are other threads on Tshad survival.

In the I-20 corridor Tshad will survive most years but about once in 5 years they don't all make it. The lakes in this thread are in the I-20 corridor.

Thanks Brian for the cold water description. And Thank you once again EWEST This pond is 10 mi N of I 20. I know we have some winter left so it will be a wait and see or It Depends situation when looking @ my TFS. Your report shows a 3 maybe 4 degree difference of warmer water verses colder surface water. I was thinking it was maybe 5 to 6 degree difference. I know this is not an exact number but I feel thankful you had the information and made it available to me. I am happy I have seen very little surface wind as the temps dropped. So, we'll see. I hope this is not one of those "they all die" kinda years.
The pond as of yesterday still contained a good green tent to the water color. And I am guessing the HSB are having a field day crunching down on some slow moving tfs. I hope some of the lmb are thinking the same thing.