The ultimate cottage pump utilizes a deep well submersable pump housed in an ABS plastic housing. These pumps are designed for household use to last a long time under heavy conditions. The filtering system keeps out most of the kritters and also prevernt Zebra mussel villiers from colonizing the water system. The filter should be changed every 2 to 3 years depending on useage and water conditions. The pump must be ground faulted.

I went by boat into town last Monday morning and had to break through ice 3 to 4" thick for about half a mile. When I returned from Toronto Wednesday afternoon there was no ice anywhere. I heard the first loon call yesterday. The weather here has been wonderfull the past few days.

The weather network 5 day forcast link

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/features/gardening/pages/CAON0525.htm

14 day trend link

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/14day/pages/CCAON0525AON0525.htm?

My 20' welded aluiminum boat will penetrate "soft" ice up to 4" thick. I did not try to cross 5 Mile Bay because I would have to pass through 4" ice for about 1 1/2 miles. There is a very real danger of getting stuck with no one to rescue you. If we had another 2 days of mild weather and above freezing nights the ice would probably be gone. However the weather forcast is for lows of -8C and highs of -3C for the next 5 days. This will cause the ice to solidify. I predict it will take at least another week to open up.