Ice on Ponds

[Tringa]

As the cold spell is continuing the ice on the pond is spreading; only the areas around the pump outlet and above the air stone are free now, but the ice is only a few mm thick.

Dave

[davedotcom]

The ice on the pond this morning was the thickest I've seen it this winter - a good 5mm thick I'd say.

[jaelen]

Originally Posted by davedotcom

The ice on the pond this morning was the thickest I've seen it this winter - a good 5mm thick I'd say.

Same here- and the hole I melted a few hours ago has already frozen over again. I put my foot on it first thing this morning, (the BF watching out the window like this ) and gave it a shove to test it- nothing. No cracking, no give to it whatsoever. It's pretty solid.

[Billabong Karen]

I STOOD on my small pond this morning! (It's only about 8 inches deep, so I thought even if I went through it wouldnt be the end of the world... ).

[nightshade]

Pond is frozen all over for a good 1" at least, the pump is still running and birds are flocking to the running water to drink and bathe. Changing the chickens water every few hours, three recepticles in use being de-iced ready for the one in use to freeze.

[robje29]

Ice is now about half inch thick right across the pond so I decided to fit a pump that runs through a fountain head to keep a clear patch and make sure theres enough oxygen in the water as its been cleared right out so recently, fountain looks really nice to, might keep it as a permanent feature.

Rob

[jaelen]

It took a whole boiled kettle to open up a small hole this morning... I felt the thickness of the ice around the hole and I guestimate it's about 2 inches thick now.

Over the pond basket shelf where it is the most shallow, I was able to put my weight on it- although I didn't go as far as Karen and stand on it with both feet! (Mine is 2 1/2 foot deep in the middle- didn't fancy a dip in that first thing in the morning! )

I just hope my two frisky frogs from last week are ok.

[GCN lova]

There was ice for a few days but after it snowed last night i thought i should break it. I had to remove the snow first with hot water then crack it with a spade. I know that vibrations could harm the animals but the ice was nearlly an inch thick so i made a couple of holes. My 9 yr old sister could stand on it but i didnt fancy taking a chance. Hopefully the froglet which was hibernating in the pond is alright and any other frogs anyone else has.

[Billabong Karen]

I'm not breaking any holes in the ice. I stick by my belief that this is nature, and if nature says the water should freeze, then freeze it will, and the animals that live in the pond will deal with it.

Very cheered by Dogghound's statement that frogs will not be trying to hibernate too much in the ponds this year after two cold winters. Let's hope he's right...

[Littlesparrow]

My pond and the local canal had an inch of ice on top today. One of the narrow boats started up its engine and the ice cracked all around, I don't think they could drive through it though.

Last year I lost about seven frogs, frozen in the pond, but this year there are no frogs in there. I hope they are using my new frog hotel made out of rocks covered in turf, or it could be natural selection.