'Not Just for Looks' by Brad Wiegmann
Outdoor Water Solutions Windmills Not Just for Looks but Powering Pond Aerators
I love fishing farm ponds. They take me back to my youth when I would ride my bike to the pond and go fishing all day. The pond was an oasis for me; no adults and the fish in the pond would strike any lure I casted to them. Times have changed since then, but pond and small lakes continue to offer a place where anglers can find peace and tranquility away from jet skiers, pleasure boaters, and tournament anglers. My favorite pond had slow sloping banks making it easy to fish the entire pond. The only noise came from birds singing, frogs croaking, and a windmill slowly turning any time the wind blew.
I still fish ponds and small lakes today; however, a number of pond owner’s have changed how they take care of them. No longer just building a pond and letting it fill up with water. Today’s pond owners look to control invasive aquatic vegetation, pond algae, bacteria, and odor. There are several methods pond owners have approached keeping their ponds clean and healthy for swimming and fishing, some are using chemicals while others have turned to pond aerators.
“What difference do pond aerators make, I only want to fish the pond?” It makes a major difference in the water quality; better water quality equals healthier fish for you to catch. Ponds without oxygen become stale or stagnant, develop algae problems, will have a buildup of excessive muck and mud on the bottom, can freeze up in the winter causing fish kills, and are not healthy for the fish population. On the other hand, ponds with aerations systems that have plenty of rich oxygen helps prevent pond turnover and fish kills, have less odor, algae, and bacteria, will have a reduce amount of muck and organic matter on the bottom, and increases the healthy living area for fish.
The two methods of aerating a pond are electric pond aerators and windmill aeration. There are several advantages of utilizing a windmill aerator and going green. Windmills do not require electricity to operate them, are extremely reliable, long lasting, help to control pond algae without using harmful or harsh chemicals, and cost effective. Outdoor Water Solutions (www.outdoorwatersolutions.com or phone (866) 471-1614) based out of Springdale, Arkansas, manufactures and sells windmills and accessories for pond aerators and pond fountains. Outdoor Water Solutions windmill pond aeration works by placing air diffusers at the deepest level in your pond. This air diffuses takes oxygen that is compressed into the airline and carried down into the water to the air diffusers. The air diffusers then turn the compressed air into thousands of fine oxygen bubbles, adding much needed oxygen to the bottom of your pond while recirculating the water throughout the whole pond eliminating water stratification.
Outdoor Water Solutions Windmills feature their patent pending “BalCam” technology to minimize bearing fatigue, manufactured with 18-gauge galvanized steel, self-governing heads to protect it in heavy winds, and are rated at 30 PSI which will allow you to aerate up to 30 to 40-feet deep. Each windmill comes with a five year warranty on the compressor. Outdoor Water Solutions Windmills come in a variety of powder coat color patterns or Outdoor Water Solutions can work with clients to create the colored windmill of your choice. The tail fin can also be customized to your business, family name, or favorite team. The windmills come in 12, 16, 20, and 25 feet in height. Outdoor Water Solutions also manufactures authentic ornamental windmills (Optional aeration conversion kit available.) available in 9 or 12-feet and in five different colors including their John Deere branded model or authentic John Deere Windmills in 9, 12, and 20 feet in height.
Obviously, pond owners have taken pond fishing to a new level. Stocking F-1 hybrid largemouth bass and improving their water quality with green windmill aerator making their pond an oasis for anglers to enjoy.
Written by Brad Wiegmann - Outdoor Writer, Photographer and Professional Fishing Guide