Is my pond deep enough?

Question

i dug my pond to about 24 inches in depth at its deepest without the underlayment, liner, and gravel... i measured the water depth and it came to like 16 inches, is that deep enough for my fish to survive a winter in rhode island? when it says it should be 18 inches deep is that the water of the pond itself? is that expecting it will be a little shallower due to the liner and gravel and stuff? i'm still building the pond, and have oppurtunities to change it now, its almost done so checking now is safe.

Answer 1

no.  there won't be enough space for air under the ice to keep more than a few small fish alive during the winter.  you would need a bubble to keep the pond from freezing over completely.

Answer 2

we need to go down over 48" here

Answer 3

With no offense to any, I like some aspects/points of the answer by Chris.

   First of all you don't state the surface area of the pond, the type of fish that will be in it, HOW MANY  fish, their growth rate or mature size, any aeration or filtration offered, what might be in the pond, beyond fish to allow, of cover sunlight, promote plant life, any screening to keep out critters.

   I've never lived in RI, but spent 20 plus years on a farm in Upstate NY. I suspect in an extreme winter, ice could be 8 to 12 inches thick, on NON agitated, NON spring/creek fed ponds. ICE not only traps possible Oxygen infusion, but uses Oxygen to form.

  I'd suggest learning about frost line/levels. Learn the tolerance levels of the fish you intend, know how much Oxygen per gallon that species needs and uses, and how much might be in your pond water, if not aerated or filtered, Food sources during extremes, etc.

Just my two "sense"

Answer 4

You need a minimum of 18" of water, the deeper you can go the better for the fish

Answer 5

not nearly deep enough. my brothers is over two and a half feet and very wide. he also places a football in the water so the wind etc moves it around and breaks up surface  ice settlement as long as possible.

  have a good area  with plants so they can rest and shelter.

why not get a book form your library or visit your local fish stockist for ideas and suggestions?

one guy I know had part of his pond go UNDER a wall and into his garage . it was never frozen there and had just a  small greenhouse heater (30watts) working to keep ice off the surface.  nearly all the fish  went under the garage area. but he did have plants there and never splashed the  water and had it covered  so that air could circulate but no chemicals or objects could fall in the pond. good luck and  wish you nay happy years of enjoyment with your pond.