I am building a system that does what you describe. Of course, here in Georgia we don't have the ice problems.

I am installing a "closed loop" that circulates a glycol mixture through 3000' of plastic pipe in the pond and back up to the geothermal unit in my basement. Using a closed loop is the only way to go, as it requires no maintenance, and you don't have to have a very big pump because you are not lifting the water. Even though my house is about 30' above the future pond level, the net lift is zero. The pump is only circulating water, not lifting it. The pump in a well system kills the efficiency.

My neighbor has a geothermal system also. He (and others too) have told me that the extra cost of a geothermal system (about double) will more than be made up every month by the savings in power.

I'll post some pictures when the guy starts puting in the pipe.

Hey Moe, I'm trying to think but nuthin's happening!