Pond in the foothills

[MitchM]

Here's my pond today. It was iced over 100% again this morning. It's back to about 80% ice coverage this afternoon.

The big difference is that over on the far edge were 5 out of my 6 goldfish happily swimming around in the warmer water from the sun reflecting off the liner.
The sixth fish may have been just out of sight under the ice.
They all looked healthy, not skinny at all.

 

[j.w]

It still looks like it is on the way to fully melting soon even w/ the new ice build up. Glad your goldfish made it through. That really says something about those air breather things don't ya think?

 

[MitchM]

The ice is still about 4 inches thick in places, but it is becoming more translucent.

I think the pond breathers did a great job, especially with this harsh winter we had. Last winter I used a trough heater and kept an open hole most of the winter, but still lost all my koi.

Another big factor would be that I have very few fish in a large body of water.
Still, after 6 1/2 months of ice cover I'm very happy with the result.
I'll definitely be using the 2 pond breathers next year.

.

 

[MitchM]

Kind of bittersweet though after seeing Larkin's pond..

 

[j.w]

No kidding that was a tragedy

 

[addy1]

Way to go Mitch! happy for you

 

[MitchM]

Thanks, addy. It's a big relief.

 

[CountryEscape]

Happy for you Mitch! Uh oh about Larkin ... what happened? I must have missed something. Shoot!!!!!

 

[RobAmy]

Way to go Mitch, looking forward to those full melt pictures

 

[MitchM]

Thanks

As the snow is receding from around the pond, I'm noticing a LOT of vole activity around the perimeter.
Is this something I should be concerned about?
Is there a way I can landscape this year to deter the voles?

 

[CountryEscape]

Hmm ... wonder if you have anything to be concerned about with them underground and getting next to the liner. Probably not, the liner is pretty tough. My friend that lives in the woods has vole problems. She can tell you every plant that voles love to eat. They literally pull the whole plant down into their hole to eat! Hostas are a favorite, I remember. Wonder if they are plants that will deter them? Good luck! Sooo glad your ice is finally gone, and the fish are doing well. Exciting!!!

 

[MitchM]

As of today, my pond is 100% ice free.
That was a long winter.

There's still too much snow in the forest for me to go rock collecting so that I can finish the edge.
Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I can get over to the rock pile.
Bottom water temperature is reading 48.9F I guess the next step is to wait for a reading of 55F before I can start feeding the fish.

At least the fish are all freely swimming around now.

 

[RobAmy]

Finally Mitch, glad your weather is settling down. Looking forward to seeing that edge rocked

 

[j.w]

Yahoooooooooooo, Mountain Dew

 

[addy1]

I found tons of tracks around my yard, none near the pond, most likely because it is dug into a very rocky bank. They like the nicer yard dirt.