New ponds (1-5 yrs) rarely have winterkills because not very much dead weeds, leaves, and thick organic muck have accumulated to cause a large loss of oxygen due to slow gradual decomposition during the winter. Also if the pond gets wind exposure the wind eventually blows some of the snow off the ice and polishes the ice smooth so snow doesn't stick very well to the ice thus is stays fairly snow free. Light penetrating into the water through the ice will allow phytoplankton and attached algae growth on the bottom to make oxygen thus newish ponds very rarely have winterkill unless the thick snow lies on the ice for 5-7wks (for new ponds) keeping the underwater world completely dark.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 12/14/13 09:45 PM. Reason: fixes
