Roger1 - If I lived in StLouis with a one year old pond, I would turn off the aerator around Thanksgiving (or water temp 50F). Then begin aeration in spring when water reaches 50F. Winters should not be "hard" in StLouis area with snow cover minimal and for short periods for less than 2-3 weeks covering the ice. Your deep water of 16ft will have lots of DO to keep from having a winter fish kill in the 'newish' pond.
Shallow winter aeration methods are for more northern ponds that get long term snow covering the ice for more than 3-4 weeks. Your StLouis pond should probably have winter ice periodically melting. Any snow ice melting and open water during winter allows the reoxygenation of the pond.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 12/08/19 09:32 PM.
