Winterizing a Waterfall: To Run or Shut Down?

In Zone 6a (Southern Illinois), a pond owner buried the pump cord and asks whether to run the waterfall all winter. Robyn explains the trade-offs:

• Running waterfall provides aeration but risks ice dams diverting water outside liner.
• If shutting down, leave submersible pump in pond bottom to stay wet—no need to dig up cord.
• Use de-icer in biofilter, cover with insulated lid, add pond salt to melt ice sculptures.
• Monitor closely; Zone 6 is borderline for running falls all winter.

Robyn shares her own experience with buried cords and a spare pump strategy.