Nets work great for all sizes of ponds. However, if you want to have a screen custom made for the pond, I see no reason why that would not work great as well. If you're worried about herons, just make sure the sections cannot get separated and leave a gap between them.

I have a problem with a screen that lays essentially flat if you have any snow. Here, the amount of snow we get would collapse it. I use the frame for the top of a gazebo. The frame has six sides rather than four although that might not make a difference. It is sturdy, covers the whole pond and has enough of a pitch that snow doesn't cause a problem. I have been trying to think of a way to add clear plastic to it to keep the ice down in the pond but don't think I will be doing that this year. You might discuss this kind of support with your contractor. Sandy

Maria:

Here is a link if you want to do netting over your pond. It is not hard to do and only take a few minutes to install.

Jenny

Here is a link that might be useful: Pond netting

dear Nancy, Sandy and Jenny,
thank you all so much for your replies. I think we will go with a net based on your help. We don't have much snow/ice here (last few winters have been more mild) so hopefully that won't be too much of an issue. Great photos, Jenny--thanks!

Do you have any thoughts on keeping birds out of/away from the nets? (Last year we had one bird underneath the net over our smaller plastic pond and fortunately got to it in time to free it. Just wondering if there's a deterrant for smaller birds for their safety?

many thanks again to each of you,
maria

That posting of netting was not very asthetic. Ugly in fact. Looked like a string puzzle. Wish I could post a picture of our pond. We use black bird netting - you can find it everywhere. We use stakes hammered into the ground approximately 10 feet apart. Depends on your pond angles to get the right fit. The netting is virtually invisible to the eye and allows for taller plants. It stretches very easily. I don't know about screens - snow and ice would concern me also. It sounds like it could be expensive and would limit you on the kind of plants you could use. If you keep the netting approximately 4 inches from the top of the pond, frogs and insects have no problem getting in and out. And I hate to be a party pooper, but I suspect a heron has already spotted your pond. It doesn't take them very long!

nancyd

I don't have a heron problem so I don't keep a net over my pond all year. The net is placed over the pond in the fall to catch the leaves. It is removed after I clean up the fallen leaves. Before the snow falls. Since ponding season is over I don't worry about asthetic.

Jenny

Jenny, You weren't clear what you wanted and you did mention deterring a potential a heron so you've confused me. If it's only to catch leaves in the fall, then go with the net. It's your cheapest solution and easy to dump the leaves out. You know with oaks that you'll be dealing with debris all season. Their leaves don't fall all at once and many hang on right through winter. A net will get destroyed in the winter with the first icy snowfall. So depending upon how long you want to use it, maybe a heavy duty screen would be a better solution for you. Make sure it's a fine mesh. Good luck and hopefully that heron never shows up. :o)

nancyd:

I think you are confusing me with maria (darbygurl)who is the original poster (read the first post). At no time in any of my posts did I mention a potential heron problem.

Jenny

Jenny - You're right! Sometimes we're talking to more than one person at a time. Sorry

Maria - The problem with any covering is that you need to leave a few inches open at the bottom to let in/out frogs, insects, birds, etc. We don't cover our pond tightly like saran wrap. We drape our net to about 5 inches from the top of the pond if that makes sense - we leave a 5 inch gap between the net and the pond surface. Now obviously this method will allow leaves to blow into your pond, but we had to made a call after finding our frogs on TOP of our net and almost baking to death. The poor things couldn't get off, just kept bouncing around like it was a trampoline. Same thing with birds under the net. They couldn't escape. I'd prefer to save wildlife than block out all the leaves. More maintenance for me, but after rescuing birds, frogs, butterflies and dragonflies all summer, we decided to leave the gap so they can escape when we're not home. We didn't want to unnecessarily kill anything we didn't have to.

Maybe I am just lucky but the black 1/2 inch mesh bird netting I use has never been damaged by weather conditions, animals or the weight of leaves. It isn't easily taken down if only one person is doing it. I have been leaving it up all year since I got injured and since my pond isn't particularly natural looking the drape even adds an artistic touch. Remember, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.I have read several times the netting should be at least 24 inches above the surface of the water. I can say the frame I use is at least that. I know I don't want the netting to be loose or on the ground because that is how small birds and animals like chippers get trapped in it. If you can't get the bottom fastened down firmly and eliminate the droopy parts, then you should be sure there is a space under the bottom to let them have a way to get in and out. Sandy