Here's the pond's deepest end on December 28, 2001. The de-icer had just been installed so there is a little bit of ice floating on the top. The leaf netting (slightly visible) has been over the pond all fall and winter to prevent any leaves from falling in and clouding the water for the spring.

Another shot on December 28, 2002 of the new de-icer working nicely on the thin sheet of ice that formed right after Christmas. The filtration barrel is also visible.

Here's a picture of the whole pond with the new de-icer running. You can see the ice slowly breaking up. Most of the work is being done by the out-take of water from the filtration barrel on the left side.

Another shot of the de-icer on February 3, 2002. Look close and you'll see one of the koi. See that white flash and you've got him (or her). Once we get some plants in there for the spring we'll see crystal-clear water. The filter needs cleaning too.

Here's the water out-take from the filter barrel going into the middle of the pond. In the spring of 2002, we will create the waterfall.

The same fish is barely visible.

Come on up and let's get a better look at you.

A picture of the unfinished pond.

A picture from the deep side toward the viewing bench.

Another picture of the bench and pond.

This is the pond (filter barrel showing) and in the background is the dirt pile that we will use to fill in places where the dirt settled over the winter and for places that need to be smoothed out on the edges.

Here's a shot of the pond looking toward the deep end.

Winter 2001-2002 shot of the pond.

Here's the protector of the pond. He thought we were digging a watering hole for him. The big bull says stay out if you're not a fish!

Here's a shot of the open filter barrel with the horse-hair filter pads and pump on top of them. Biological filter media is located under these filter pads.

Here is a picture of our first pond. It is a pre-fab pond with a small waterfall. The occupants include a variety of plants (in season) and a variety of goldfish. It has been a lot of fun but of course, everyone wants a bigger one and we finally decided to dig a new one. Some of the goldfish currently occupying the large pond will be returned back to the small pond. We are still in the process of obtaining more koi for the large pond. Until then, it will serve as a koi and goldfish pond.

Another shot of the small pond.