Pond Boss Forums AERATION Should I aerate? Winter Aeration

I find at least in northern areas, it is not as important to run aeration when the water temps drop below 55-50F when stratification is minimal compared to summer conditions 65F-90F. Bacterial decomposition and pond overall DO consumption decreases as fall progresses and DO consumption is significantly lower as water temps go from 50F to 39F. At temps less than 55F toward 39F the DO tends to be at naturally high amounts and lasts longer than warm water times. At the fall, early winter season the natural top to bottom mixing (fall turnover) increases until ice cover. Hyperventilating a pond with 24/7 aeration is really not all that beneficial as water temps drop from 50-39F. Prior to and at ice formation DO amounts are the highest throughout the pond as any time of the year other than 1-2 wks after ice out.