Comments / ideas.
1. If you membrane line the small ponds, every year or two the sediment accumulations could be rinsed (hosed trash pump) down the slippery sides into the bottom where the trash pump could pump a lot of the slurry out. Maybe use alternate years as to which pond is drained for winter so brood stock can be over wintered in the other pond/s.
2. Most of that slurry could be used to water trees or plants. Slop slurry could be dewatered and the solids used as a type of fertilizer.
3. Consider making a sump area in the bottom where sediment and fish will collect for easier removal at lowest pool.
4. Papershell crayfish in the forage ponds will keep most of the vegetation including FA to a minimum providing the crayfish are abundant enough.
5. A vibratory sheepsfoot compactor might be able to compact your marginal soils enough for a decent soil liner. There are liquid soil additives that can help seal ponds prior to compaction. ESS-13 is just one brand. I used Perma-Zyme on my minnow pond that had no special clay liner. It was sprayed on & blended/mixed into the top soil layer and compacted. It worked very good.
http://internationalenzymeslv.com/products/perma-zyme/6. Check into Dave Sefton an excellent Pond Boss family pond builder near Brownstown Illinois. Dave has spoke at PBoss conventions including PB VI. If he is too far away from you he may know about a good pond builder in your area.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=313602
