Seasonal Pond Maintenance
Pond Opening & Pond Closing
Pond Care for New England Weather — Rhode Island, Eastern Connecticut & Southern Massachusetts
Spring Pond Clean Out
Spring openings start with a full drain and clean. See cleanout options and prices.
Ready to close your pond for the season?
Spring scheduling fills up fast. Reach out early to secure your preferred date.
| Pond size | Closing only | Tent (netting) & closing | Fall drain & clean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small pond (up to 90 sq ft) | $575 | $799 | $899 |
| Medium pond (up to 180 sq ft) | $699 | $949 | $1,199 |
| Large pond (up to 330 sq ft) | $799 | $1,199 | $1,799 |
| Extra-large pond (over 330 sq ft) | Custom quote | Custom quote | Custom quote |
| Small pondless | $460 | — | $450 |
| Medium pondless | $629 | — | $649 |
| Large pondless | $860 | — | $999 |
Netting material is extra if you don’t already have it. An aerator or de-icer is required with every netting job; equipment is priced separately. Fall closings are included in every maintenance plan.
Frequently Asked Maintenance DIY Questions
What Happens If I Don't Close My Pond?
Leaves sink, rot and turn into sludge that feeds algae next spring. Ice can seal the surface and trap the gases fish need to escape, which is the most common cause of winter fish loss. And pumps and plumbing left running or full of water can crack in a hard freeze. A proper closing — netting, a shutdown or winter setup, and aeration — prevents all three.
Close Only, Tent & Close, or Leave It Running?
- Close only: for ponds with few trees nearby. We clean out debris, shut the system down and set up aeration.
- Tent & close: for ponds under or near trees. Heavy-duty netting on a tent-style frame keeps leaves out all winter and sheds snow.
- Leave it running: possible for some ponds, but the waterfall can ice over and divert water out of the pond. Ask us before you try it.
When Should I Open or Close My Pond in Rhode Island?
We open ponds March through May and close them September through October. Members get priority scheduling and can pick a date range; spring and fall dates fill up quickly.
Closing Your Own Pond?
Pond netting, aerators, de-icers, cold-water bacteria and cold-weather fish food are in stock at our Portsmouth store. Our staff can walk you through a DIY closing.
Heavy-Duty Fall Pond Netting
Leaves are falling fast — and that’s not the only threat to your pond.
Cheap, lightweight nets tear, sag under snow, or blow away, leaving your fish exposed to predators like mink. We do it differently.
Watch how we install our heavy-duty pond netting system — built specifically for harsh New England winters:
What Makes Our System Different:
- Extremely strong, heavy-duty netting that won’t tear or sag
- Custom-cut and fitted to your exact pond shape
- Professional support poles and heavy-duty stakes that create a strong “tent” structure
- Secure anchoring all the way around the pond edge
- Proper tensioning so the net stays tight all winter
Why Work With a Master-Level Certified Aquascape Contractor?
Aquascape, Inc. is one of the largest manufacturers of pond and water feature products in the country, and its Certified Aquascape Contractor (CAC) program is how it vouches for the companies that build with them. CACs complete Aquascape’s training, build to its construction standards, and are held to its expectations for customer service and follow-up care. Domina’s Agway is certified at the master level. Our Portsmouth store also carries nearly the entire Aquascape product line, so the pumps, filters and water treatments we install are the same ones you can see, buy and get serviced locally.
Schedule Your Consultation
Fill out our contact form today to schedule a consultation for water feature maintenance services. Whether you have a pond, fountain, or waterfall that needs seasonal care, cleaning, or repair, we’ll assess your specific situation and create a maintenance plan to keep your water feature healthy and beautiful year-round.