Winter Ice Removal from Stock Ponds

摘要

The purpose of this study was to find a practical, reliable, and inexpensive method for melting ice on farm ponds during the winter to allow livestock accessibility to water. An alternative means of removing ice from the near-shore surface of ponds was found, rather than requiring that farmers/ranchers routinely chip holes in the ice. The performances of two methods were tested: (1) use of an electrically-operated submersible pump; and (2) a wind-electric generator directly connected to an electric trolling motor, to stimulate conditions in remote locations lacking electricity. By either technique, warmer water from greater depths was circulated to the surface of the pond.