esshup,
I noticed you responded while I was typing. Thank you for the NRCS guidance document, I hadn't found that.
I haven't decided if I will be constructing the pond myself or not. I thought about renting the equipment to do it, but I am nervous I won't be able to do a good job with construction. In my job I work with dirtwork contractors building projects I designed, but I don't have experience running heavy equipment. As much as I would love to learn to run an excavator, I am leaning towards hiring somebody for the dirtwork.
I planned to use, or have somebody use, an excavator for excavation and fill and sheepsfoot attachment for the excavator for compaction.
