Yes, the pond has stained water. You can see down about 3 feet but not much beyond. Have not used a secchi disc yet to measure. Sometimes the pond is blown clear of snow, but I'm not there alot in the winter although I was there this past weekend. It's a 2.5 hr drive from home.
There was 8 to 12" of ice and about a foot of snow. Here is a photo of a minnow I've had at home that is from the pond.
I didn't know that DO loss began at the bottom, but it makes sense. Yes, the water samples were taken near the surface, as far down as I could reach under the ice.
There is a small feeder stream that runs year round although rather limited in a hot dry summer. I just keep thinking that if I were to install a windmill the pond might be able to bank enough DO to get past the Feb. crash. Buffer
