How can I keep my dock from getting destroyed by ice?

Ice can certainly do some damage to a dock. As water freezes, it expands. As it melts, it contracts. And all that freezing and melting business can wreak havoc on the wood and materials used to make the mooring.

So what can you do to protect your investment? If you have a floating or removable dock, it’s easy. Simply remove it from your pond and store it for winter. If you have a permanent dock, you have two options: a circulator with float, or a bubbler system. Here’s what you need to know about them.

Circulator with Float

A circulator uses a motor and propeller to push water under the dock and up toward the surface. Water Circulators can be suspended from the horizontal float to create elongated patterns of water movement that discourage ice formation. It can also be secured directly to your dock.

Bubblier System

A bubbler system uses a diffuser to create water movement under the dock and prevent ice formation. Diffuser plates connected to an air compressor pump air below the surface and agitate the water. Multiple diffusers used together can create large areas of open water, particularly when they’re placed evenly across a small area in the shallow part of the pond. Another benefit: They cost less to operate than a motor and prop.

Cold, windy weather, however, can cause that hole to shrink to a couple of feet or less. Good luck preventing that dock from being destroyed by ice!