Newbie here. Hello to everyone.
Just wondering how many folks here have to deal with winterizing a pond who live in zone 7? Do your turtles truly hibernate or just slow down considerably? I'm in Raleigh, NC and while we occasionally dip to chilly weather, our temps fluctuate up often enough that I haven't bought a new winter coat since moving here (four years ago). We plan to house sliders in this - it's 3,000 gallons, 36" deep at the middle with steps up the side, a basking area, and a protective wall/barrier to foil escape artists.

I'm in Zone 6/7 but I don't have turtles in my ponds (just one in the house).

Turtles should have no trouble winterizing in a pond that large in NC. Trouble is most likely when the pond temperature is not truly cold enough to hibernate (below 45-50 degrees F) and not warm enough for them to eat (over 60-65 degrees F). At that in between temperature, the turtles will move around but can't really eat so they may deplete their reserves. I don't know how much of an effect this has on them but temperatures in the 50's are probably common for NC in winter.

Turtles aren't true hibernators. Here's a web site I found on hiberating animals:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/coloring/Hibernate.shtml

So, if you pick a turtle up in the dead of winter, it will move. Turtles move little when dormant and can get some oxygen through their skin but still have to come up for air occasionally.

Thanks, Robyn. As this is a new venture this first season we'll have to keep a close eye on the water temps and adjust food accordingly. Thanks for the link.