Pond Boss Forums INTRO New Forum Member Introduction New Member-Pond almost completed, need help ASAP

Hello,
I just found this forum a few days ago and have been reading every chance I get. Have a couple questions I could not already find specific answers to:

Building a half acre pond, should be complete in next day or two. Max depth right now(with water level 3 feet from top of dam) is at about 17 ft. Pond will catch runoff from a hill but I do not anticipate having a big problem with too much water output during heavy rains.

Spillway or Pipe? Had a good 1 acre pond growing up in my backyard and had a concrete spillway and never had any issues at all. Originally told the dozer guy I did not want a pipe because I know some people who have had bad experiences with them. However I have a creek(deep ravine) within only 20 feet of one side of the pond(The side I would like to use for a spillway because the other side of the pond is closest to my home and "manicured" lawn) I am worried with a spillway where the water goes into the creek(No the creek water has never come up even close to the top) that over time it will erode a ravine and work its way back towards the dam and compromise the creek bank/dam. If I go with a pipe I am close enough to the creek that I could easily take the pipe all the way out over the drop off of the creek therefore reducing my risk of erosion of the creek bank.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!

For 1/2 ac I suggest that you put in an overflow pipe 4"-6" dia placed about 12"-16" below the very top of the pond banks and where the full pool level is to be. Ground above the pipe is called free board. Use pipe that you can add an elbow, gate valve, or plug to help keep more water in the pond during early spring; then adjust when necessary during wet conditions. Always have an emergency spillway. Remember your emergency spillway will be the lowest part of the pond so extreme creek flooding is possible to back water up into the pond. 2-3 ft of rain in a 100 yr flood is a lot of water to deal with. Make sure the overflow spillway is well vegetated, concrete, or with basket ball sized rocks to stabilize the soil during use for flooding conditions.

My experience with pipes under 8" is that they are prone to clog, even with large painted turtles (happened to me twice once each in a 4" and 6" drain). My new pond (under current construction) will get an 8" pipe. I just recently installed surface inlets bar guards from Agridrain on my two 4" outlets, so maybe with these, clogging will be less likely.

thanks guys!