The ecology of the backyard pond changes dramatically in the winter in northern areas. With the cold temperatures, all of the chemical processes slow down but generally do not stop completely. Fish, which are cold blooded creatures, slow their metabolism to a very low level. Decomposition of the "gunk" in the bottom of the pond also slows way down.

Fish - If you have fish in your pond, you need to consider how to over-wintering them if you live in an area where temperatures routinely drop below freezing for the winter.

Hardy Plants - Hardy lilies, cattails, lotus and other plants that are rated for survival in your climate zone may be kept in the pond over the winter. Most people take the pots of these plants and place them in the deepest part of the pond for the winter. Others leave them where they are year around. 

Tropical Plants - Unless you live in an area where frost does not occur, tropical aquatic plants tend to be expensive annuals. This is especially true in the colder parts of the U.S. Some people try taking the plants indoors but this often fails when the plants dry out in the low humidity, smell up the house or turn to mush in the warm indoor temperatures. People fortunate enough to have a greenhouse or a root cellar may be more successful in this effort.

If you have any tips on this process, please send an email.

Pond Equipment  

• Pumps - Most people in colder climates turn off their pumps once ice begins to form in the pond. They then disconnect the pump, place it in a pail of water and keep it in the basement over the winter. Keeping it wet will prevent gaskets from drying out and malfunctioning. 

• Filters - Sometime between the end of a summer season and the beginning of the next spring season, the filters should be cleaned. Most of the time this involves removing the fibrous filter pads and biofilter media such as volcanic rocks. These can be sprayed with a constant stream of water until the water coming out of them is clear. Be careful where you do this because the material that comes out of the filters is usually quite smelly and yukkie.