![]() ![]() This information is for educational purposes only. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. You can contact an educator through MSU Extension’s “ Find an Expert” search tool using the topic “Natural Resources” or “Water Quality.” To learn more about invasive organisms and invasive aquatic plants contact Michigan State University Extension Natural Resources educators who are working across Michigan to provide aquatic invasive species educational programming and assistance. Oxygen levels recover very quickly when ponds and lakes become ice free.įor more information about lakes, streams, and watersheds or invasive aquatic plants contact me, Beth Clawson, MSU Extension educator. A word of caution: if you are walking out on the ice, make sure it is safe to do so with at least 4 inches of ice depth for safety. If there are plants in the pond, even removing the snow so photosynthesis can occur can help alleviate oxygen deficiencies.In Michigan, a higher wattage deicer is recommended to keep up with freezing temperatures over several days. ![]() Using an electric tank or pond deicer can be ok as long as it floats near the top of the water and is powerful enough to keep the ice clear.Install equipment above this level by placing them on a platform or floats. Mixing the two can cause the bottom to freeze. Care should be taken not to disturb the bottom warmer layer of water in the pond with the colder upper layers. The deepest portion of lake or pond is the warmest in the winter (about 40 degrees Fahrenheit) and is where the fish are mostly dormant for the winter. Keep in mind during installation that lakes and ponds are different temperatures at different depths. This is best done in the fall before the freezing takes place. Add air bubblers and run filter or fountain pumps to both introduce air and circulate the water.Maintain open hole(s) in the ice for the exchange of gasses.Some steps to take after snow and ice form are: Preventive action before ice forms is the best way to control winter kill in your pond. The unfortunate part about a winter kill is that the true effects are not seen until spring when things begin to thaw off and the dead fish and frogs can be seen. This is somewhat common in the natural world, but can be avoided in farm and garden ponds. Animals and decaying vegetation sealed under ice use up the oxygen in the water and the animals can suffocate. If there is no way for the water to exchange gasses in the air, then the oxygen that is present when the pond freezes over is all that there is. There is only so much water in a pond containing oxygen. “Winter kill” refers to the death and die off of fish, frogs and turtles after a hard winter where a pond or small lake becomes completely snow covered or freezes over completely, preventing the natural exchange of gasses. Colder than normal winter temperatures for longer periods in Michigan sets the stage for winter kill in small lakes and ponds this year.
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