There's loads of knowledgable people here, I learn much from them every day! :) About the goldfish though... this seems to be an immediate issue. The one thing I really suggest (besides what the others have said) is to take sample of pond water up to the local fish/aquarium/pond store and have them test it for you. Many places will do this for free, as you're just starting out you might save yourself that headache of trying to learn about water testing kits. In the long run, however, you should get yourself a testing kit and learn to use it. It is a bit cold there still, fish should still be in hybernation or just coming out of (unless you keep it heated in winter - do you?) sleep. So if they're dying off this early there could be something seriously out of whack. Get your water checked for ammonia, nitrate levels and PH, as well as anything else they can tell you. A PH crash can kill fish quickly, as can large levels of ammonia or lethal gasses (caused by decomposing matter) built up in the substrate. Patial water changes can initially help to balance the pond and reduce stress on the fish, but the reasons for the ill water conditions need to be addressed for a permenant solution. Have you cleaned it out yet? If you have - did the fish begin to die before or after you did? My bet would be either a ph crash or gas build up. I like to drain and clean once a year in the Spring. I do save some of the water and filter media to save back the beneficial bacteria that the others have mentioned. I go out every couple days or once a week to net out the stray leaves and debris that have found their way in, to keep it from builing up on the bottom and creating stagnant gas. Good luck with your pond, I am sure with help here (and freindly terms with your local aquatics retailer) you'll learn pretty quick. Ponding does take a fair amount of work, but is extremely relaxing! Have fun and good luck!

"The only exception to the rule would be the pond where the kid drowned - that is just awful. They should just fill that in, period." Why? Wasn't my kid so wouldn't stop me from buying the property. Especially not with a pond that lovely. It's the same thing as buying a house where somebody died. Eh, it happens. The only thing I think would give me the heebie jeebies would be if it were a murder scene. Does that have to be disclosed? Oh my.

I have a pond in backyard (outside Des Moines) and want to add plants like impatients along ledge. What other annuals that bloom and like wet feet would do good growing in water? (oh I do have cannas in there, too) Thanks for any ideas.

Tthose trough heaters work, but they can use a LOT of electricity. Obviously they're useful for a fish pond, which I guess is what you're referring to, but they're a nuclear flyswatter for a little fountain like this. Around 15-20 years ago, we used to keep pond goldfish (we're way too cheap to buy koi :). We didn't do anything in the winter, though we probably should have. I'd estimate that we lost 1/4 to 1/3 of the fish each winter, but they seemed to make up for it over the summer. :) I can't find it now, too much other cruft on the web these days, but back then I found a web page describing a neat passive device for keeping pond fish alive through the winter. IIRC it involved a PVC pipe, maybe with another larger pipe around it for insulation, suspended in the water. The pipe had a J bend at the top to keep the snow out. Supposedly it kept air going in all through the winter, with no air compressor or anything of the sort. I never got around to trying it, though.