Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Log for turtle/waterfowl basking? Temp for RES turtles?

I'd like to get something out in a 1/3 acre pond so that turtles, and my ducks and geese could sun themselves without having to risk it coming to the edge, lots of predators here.

I have no money to spend on this and hoped to drag home a driftwood log, knowing though it will eventually sink or at least float to shore, it's windy here.

Any cheap ideas that also look attractive?

Also, can red eared sliders survive in a cold winter area so long as there is abundant hibernation spots available? It's 12-14'deep at the deepest, as well the bottom is silt/mud as deep as you can dig. Ice will rarely be more than 6-8" deep. Though winter is relatively long- frost free 6 months of the year only with very hot summers.
There are no other turtle specieas available here, none native to the area that I can tell either.
Thanks!

Hey, DT...
We have a few resident floating island creators on the forum. If you search the same under "Pond Construction", you'll get a pulse of some of the neat ideas.
One of first threads that comes to mind is this one by Eric .
Good luck to ya and post progress with pics!

An inexpensive solution is to get a few wooden pallets and set them out in the water. They may float for weeks before they sink, but you can eliminate them sinking by attaching empty plastic bottles to them.

I anchor them in place by using a cinder block and a tether. Make the tether long enough to withstand fluctuating water levels if you pond is subject to that.

Thanks, good ideas and easy enough to anchor out there.

Still curious about keeping turtles in a pond- seems red eared sliders are the only species available for purchase here. How cold can they get during hibernation?

Thanks again.

I know nothing about your area but usually find that if Mama Nature has not allowed turtles, they probably won't make it there.