Hi Marymarm, I live approx. 9 hours north of you, also in southwest(my wife is from El Paso), my suggestion is get a solar cover, cut it fit your pool,leave it on all winter,water will never freeze, you very rarely hit the freezing temps, cover will keep the dust and dirt out, specifically in the spring you know what I mean. we do have a hard freeze up here it only lasts a couple of months though!!