Updated October 2026
To winterize an outdoor water fountain, unplug the pump, empty the reservoir, store the pump indoors, and let the fountain stand dry as a piece of sculpture. Most Stone Forest fountains are carved from solid granite and basalt, which is dense enough to stay outside uncovered all winter. Or, if your climate allows, you can keep the fountain running and let it build ice. Here's how we handle both at Stone Forest in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at more than 7,000 feet in the high desert.
When to Winterize Your Fountain
Shut your fountain down before nighttime temperatures start dropping below freezing on a regular basis. In much of the U.S. that means October or November. The risk is water freezing and expanding inside the pump or in places where it sits on the stone.
What You'll Need
- A wet/dry shop vacuum, or your submersible pump with a length of hose
- A stiff brush and mild soapy water
- A plastic or zip-top bag for the pump, if it has to stay in the reservoir
How to Winterize an Outdoor Water Fountain, Step by Step
1. Turn off and unplug the pump
Unplug the pump at the outlet before you start. Never let a pump run without water; running dry burns it out.
2. Empty the reservoir
You can empty the reservoir three ways: let the water evaporate, pump it out with your submersible pump and a hose, or pull it out with a shop vacuum. Also empty any basin or bowl where water can sit. This doubles as cleaning in preparation for spring, so you can fill up with fresh water and be ready for another three seasons of use.
For underground reservoirs, see our Fountain Reservoir Maintenance guide (PDF).
3. Disconnect the pump and store it indoors
Disconnect the pump and put it on a shelf indoors. Keeping it out of the cold helps prolong its life. If the pump needs to stay in the reservoir, wrap it in plastic or zip-top bags to protect it.
4. Clean the stone
With the water out, scrub the fountain with a stiff brush and mild soapy water. Our fountain maintenance guide covers removing algae and mineral deposits in more detail.
5. Let the fountain become a piece of sculpture
Since we carve most of our fountain designs from solid blocks of granite and basalt, the stone is dense enough to withstand freezing temperatures. Once it's drained and dry, it can stay outside uncovered as a piece of sculpture. Softer, more porous stones, ceramic and concrete don't hold up the same way and need more protection over winter.
6. Check on it after storms
After snow or heavy rain, look for water collecting in bowls or basins and empty it before the next freeze.
Can You Run a Fountain in Winter?
Our wintered Sky Mirror Fountain at our Garden Gallery, with icicles galore.
Yes, depending on your climate. If you've visited or driven by the Stone Forest Garden Gallery in winter, you may have noticed that we run our water features year-round, and they turn into ice sculptures. We do get freezing temperatures and snow in Santa Fe.
In typical winter weather, only the top few inches of water in the underground reservoir freeze, and the pump keeps running in the water below. The water freezes over the stone in layers, a "layer cake" effect, then thaws as the sun comes out and melts back into the reservoir. If your climate is cold enough that the reservoir freezes solid, the pump won't survive.
If you keep your fountain running through winter:
- Watch the weather and the water level. Ice makes the reservoir's water level drop quickly, so keep it full enough for the pump to keep running.
- Turn it off if it stops flowing. A pump that runs without water burns out.
- Watch for a building ice shell. Ice can redirect water outside the reservoir. In one particularly cold winter, one of our fountains built up an ice shell, water began flowing outside the reservoir, and we shut it down.
- Know your climate. In very cold places like North Dakota, shutting the fountain down is the better choice; running it becomes more babysitting than it's worth. In warm climates like Florida, you can enjoy it all four seasons.
Use your best judgment for what your fountain setup can handle. Running a fountain year-round may mean replacing the pump more often, but that's a small price for year-round enjoyment, and replacement pumps are available in our garden accessories.
A Dragon Jade Fountain at a private residence in Santa Fe, NM.
Starting Your Fountain Back Up in Spring
- Clear leaves and debris from the reservoir and stone.
- Reinstall the pump and reconnect it.
- Fill the reservoir with fresh water before plugging in the pump.
- Add a wildlife-safe water treatment (FOUNTEC for algae, PROTEC for mineral deposits).
- Check the water level weekly. Evaporation alone can take about 2 gallons a week from one of our fountains in Santa Fe's dry climate.
Fountain Winterizing FAQ
When should I winterize my outdoor fountain?
Before nighttime temperatures regularly drop below freezing. In much of the U.S. that is October or November.
Can I leave a stone fountain outside in winter?
Yes. A drained, dry fountain carved from dense stone like granite or basalt can stay outside uncovered as a piece of sculpture. Softer, more porous stone, ceramic and concrete need more protection.
Can I leave the pump in the fountain over winter?
It's better to store it indoors, which helps prolong its life. If it has to stay in the reservoir, wrap it in plastic or zip-top bags.
Can I keep my fountain running in freezing weather?
Often, yes. In typical winter weather only the top few inches of the reservoir freeze, so the pump keeps running underneath. Keep the reservoir full, and shut the fountain down if the water freezes solid or stops flowing.
Will running my fountain in winter hurt the pump?
It can shorten the pump's life, so you may need to replace it more often. Replacement pumps are available from Stone Forest.
Should I put antifreeze in my fountain?
No. Antifreeze is toxic to birds, pets and wildlife that drink from fountains. Drain the fountain or keep it running instead.
Find a Fountain Built for Every Season
Stone Forest has hand-carved fountains from solid granite and basalt in Santa Fe since 1989. Browse our fountains, see more care guides on our garden care page, or contact us with questions about your setup.
