Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Renovating a Pond or Lake? Renovating pond and stream please help with advice

OK first thanks for looking any help would be greatly apperciated.
Note...the way this was done is grandfathered into the laws so no need to comment about their luck....
Stream is at this point about 2ft wide 3" deep running about 200 yards goes thru a colvert runs 20' to a concrete dam. (Dam is approx 8 by 10' and has overflow cut into it) stream water then goes thru 8" pipe into pond which is 100 by 30 then thru 8" pipe back into stream.
My problem is sediment and grass in pond has taken over and I need help to get this back to former glory.
I am currently cutting back everything 4' back from both sides of the stream. I'm thinking drain the pond to half or so pull out the muck. On the stream side backfill dam erosion and dig out area after culvert down to 4' as kind of a sediment pond. I know pond and stream were deeper when the property was purchased. Due to original owners death we don't know his original plan or layout of stream, dam, piping, etc.
With the past floods, their age, and my lack of knowledge this has gotten away from us any advice would be great. I'm trying to preserve this for years to come for our kids and grand kids.
Also they would like to add sand to the bottom as a beach for grand kids to swim.
I will get pictures asap thanks

[img]http://forums.pondboss.com/gallery/49/medium/10614.jpg[/img

First couple are continuing upstream last one is looking back towards the dam. Thanks for any comments and or advice