Kawartha Lakes Docks, Clear in July and Open in January
Weeds all summer, ice all winter. One Arbrux pump takes care of both.
A pump that works both seasons
Families have spent their summers along the Trent-Severn Waterway for generations, on Sturgeon, Pigeon, Buckhorn, Stony, Balsam and Cameron lakes. Many of these lakes run shallow and warm near shore, so by midsummer the weeds and muck around a dock are hard to ignore. By January, that same dock sits in ice.
The Arbrux De-Icer and Circulator are the same pump. What it does depends on how you aim it.
Late spring to fall: circulation
Aimed down toward the bottom, or swept along the shore by the 360° Oscillator, the pump keeps water moving to discourage weeds and clear muck across a 60-foot diameter of lake bottom.
Freeze-up to ice-out: de-icing
Angled toward the surface beside the dock and sitting 4 to 6 feet down, the pump lifts warmer water to the surface and holds a 40-foot diameter open around the dock.
Planning around the Trent-Severn
- The fall drawdown. Parks Canada manages levels along the waterway, and many reaches sit lower through the winter. Take your depth readings after the drawdown, not in August. Working with less water than you hoped? Read Do Dock De-Icers Work in Shallow Water?
- Lift legs in the ice. A lift left in the water spends the whole winter exposed to shifting ice. See Can a Dock De-Icer Protect a Boat Lift Through Winter?
- Shared bays. Kawartha docks often sit close together. Tell your neighbours where you are keeping water open, and post signs on shore.
Kawarthas FAQ
How long before a weedy bay looks different?
Circulation works steadily rather than overnight, and every bay is different. Our post on getting rid of lake muck around your dock explains what to expect.
Do I need the oscillator?
For a single swim spot, a pump on the Dock Bundle may be all you need. For a long, weedy shoreline, the Oscillator Bundle sweeps the pump through a programmable range from 0 to 360 degrees.
How do I switch from summer mode to winter mode?
Re-angle the pump on its mount. The Dock Mount's pivot bracket is built for exactly that.
One pump, every season
Built in Ontario and backed by a 2-year warranty, an Arbrux pump earns its keep twelve months a year.
