Blowout Water Feature Drains for Winter?

[djpool21]

Last year I had the waterfall line from the drain blown out with an airlock for winter. This is the right most pump in the attached picture. I kept the bubblers running with freeze protection on. With the equipment below the pool level, is it necessary to blow out the waterfall plumbing? With the water intake from the pool drain off could I just drain the waterfall line out the pump and close it up? I know there would still be water in the pipe leading up to the shutoff valve.
And same question for the bubblers, but I know that's a different situation with the bubblers being about 6 inches underwater on a ledge.
Thanks.

 

[mas985]

I know there would still be water in the pipe leading up to the shutoff valve

And that is exactly where the pipe would burst if it froze. Water/ice needs to have room to expand. If the equipment was above water level, you could drain the above ground plumbing and it should survive ok in your climate. But given it is below water level, I would not take the chance.

 

[djpool21]

Thanks mas985. Makes sense and it wouldn't be worth the risk or losing sleep over in below freezing overnight temps.