Brrr… it’s time for our annual cold snap here in the Texas Hill Country. While you’re getting ready to stay warm and cozy indoors, it’s important not to forget about your pond or pondless waterfall. A little winter preparation now can protect your investment and help your water feature (and koi!) come through the colder months healthy and problem-free.
At Stonebridge, we care for a wide variety of water features, including ecosystem ponds, koi ponds, and pondless waterfalls throughout the Austin area, and winter is all about supporting your water feature’s natural balance. Below are our expert tips—starting with steps that apply to all water features, followed by a few that are specific to koi ponds and pondless waterfalls.
Winter Tips for All Water Features
(Ecosystem Ponds, Pondless Waterfalls, Koi Ponds, and more)
1. Remove Debris Before It Breaks Down
Fallen leaves, algae, and other organic matter can quickly build up during cooler months. Removing debris from the pond surface, streams, and waterfall basins helps prevent excess nutrients, cloudy water, and unnecessary strain on your system. This is especially important for koi ponds, where water quality directly affects fish health.
2. Clean Filters and Check Your Pump
Before freezing temperatures arrive, clean your filters and inspect your pump to ensure everything is running efficiently. Good circulation is critical in winter, and if possible, pumps should be positioned deeper in the water where temperatures stay more stable.
3. Keep Water Moving and Oxygenated
Running waterfalls and aerators through winter helps maintain oxygen levels and discourages ice from fully sealing the surface. Even in the Texas Hill Country, short freezes can happen—circulation helps protect both your ecosystem and equipment.
4. Protect Exposed Plumbing
Cover exposed pipes with burlap, tarps, or plastic coverings to help insulate them from freezing temperatures. This simple step can save you from cracked plumbing and unexpected repairs.
5. Use Aeration During Freezing Weather
If temperatures dip low enough for ice to form, aeration keeps a hole in the surface ice – necessary for gas exchange and happy fish
6. Never Break Ice Forcefully
If your pond freezes over, don’t hit or smash the ice—the shockwaves can damage equipment and stress fish. Instead, use a flame thrower(!), or set a kettle of hot water onto the surface, fresh off the stovetop.
Winter Tips Specific to Koi Ponds
Adjust Feeding as Temperatures Drop
As water cools, koi metabolisms slow dramatically. When water temperatures consistently fall below 50°F, stop feeding altogether.
Maintain Aeration for Fish Health
For koi ponds, aeration is especially important. An air pump with an airstone helps maintain a hole in the surface ice, imperative for gas-exchange and healthy fish.
Winter Tips Specific for Pondless Waterfalls
Remove Debris
Take a look at the waterfalls and streams – is there any leaf debris obstructing the flow of water? Hand remove to ensure proper water flow
Fill the Basin
Top off the recirculation basin prior to freezing. When Ice forms along the edges or surface of your stream, water is frozen there and eliminated from the recirculation loop. To make sure the pump is well-fed with sufficient water, fill the basin before the freeze.
Winter Doesn’t Have to Be Hard on Your Pond
When done right, winter doesn’t have to be a problem for your water feature. Your ecosystem pond is built for all seasons—just like Mother Nature intended.
At Stonebridge, we’re here to help your Hill Country pond in every season so your water feature stays healthy, clear, and stunning year-round.
After winter passes, if you need maintenance to clean up dead plants or make sure your pond is set for a thriving spring, contact us—we’re always happy to help our Austin-area neighbors.
Bonus Points
We’ll give you major bonus points for sending us photos of your frozen water features!