Can you run your pond all winter in Baltimore, Maryland | by Pond Contractor Arbor Ridge | Baltimore County, MD

Can you run your pond all winter in Baltimore, Maryland | by Pond Contractor Arbor Ridge | Baltimore County, MD

​This is one of the most common questions we get, and the answer depends on how cold the winter is in your region. In this article, we will be referring to winter in the Baltimore, Maryland area.

So, Can you run your pond all winter in Baltimore, Maryland?

Keeping your pond running during the frozen months of winter will allow you to enjoy the beautiful ever changing ice sculptures that form in the stream and waterfall. And this can be beautiful, but it’s possible that the ice buildup can form dams in the stream that could divert your water out of the pond. So if you decide to keep your pond and waterfall running here are 5 things to keep an eye on:

1. Frequently check on the waterfall and stream and keep an eye on the water level throughout the winter months.

2. If you see an ice dam forming or the water level dropping, your pond might be losing water because of the ice accumulation.

3. If you decide to leave your pond running all winter, the main consideration is to make sure there is enough water for the pump to operate properly.

4. During a Maryland winter the usual water supply options are not available.  Outdoor hose spigots and automatic water fill valves should be turned off to prevent pipes from freezing and cracking.  Therefore, Baltimore County and Harford County pond owners who run their systems during the winter will have to find an alternate water source to replenish their pond.  Water can be supplied via a hose run from inside the house or by making multiple trips with a five-gallon bucket.  Generally speaking, it’s not uncommon to have to go out a few times a month during the winter to “top off” the pond.

5. The Pump size is important when it comes to a waterfall’s ability to run all winter.  Generally, A pump that provides at least 2,000 gph can be operated throughout the MD winter without a problem, as long as it runs continuously. This will keep water moving and provide an open hole in the ice around the waterfalls and in front of the circulation system. However, repeated days in sub-zero temperatures may lead to excessive ice build-up and can cause the system to operate improperly.

So really the key to keeping your pond running all winter in Baltimore, Maryland is routine maintenance.  That’s why about 70 percent of pond owners in Baltimore and Harford County, MD decide to shut down their ponds for the winter because they don’t want to tend to their ponds and waterfalls during the cold months of a Maryland winter.

To read more about shutting down your pond and winterizing a waterfall, click here:

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