Russ -- As Bob said above if you have a "heavy load of organics" in the bottom you need to be concerned. Since your pond is only 8' to 10' deep your water volume is less which means a lesser amount of overall DO in the pond. If you have quite a few fish in there plus the organics and 2' of snow cover it is black under the ice. NO photosynthesis. If you don't have a snow melt off by late Jan or Feb 01; if possible I would turn on the aerator to melt out a whole in the ice. Since snow can insulate, 2' of snow will prevent the ice from getting very thick even in cold temps. Be very caucious about getting on the ice to clear it of snow. Work a hole in the surface with the aerator; shouldn't take long since ice is not very thick & snow will melt quickly. Run it just enough every day or three to keep a hole open. It the hole freezes with clear ice, pump running is not necessary until snow cover reforms on top of the clear ice. Better safe than sorry.
