Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Building a dam Dam for Auxiliary Pond at Existing Pond Entrance

I have to make a decision Thursday on whether to rent the excavator, and I sure would appreciate comments on the overall plan. Is a three foot wide clay core enough for this small dam? And what would be the best way to compact it? One friend recommended a trench jumping jack compactor, and another recommended just using the bucket of the excavator. Bobcat makes a packer wheel for their minis, but the local rental company does not have anything like that. There will never be more than about 3.5 feet of head pressure on the dam, and I will be able to pump water from the main pond to compensate for small leaks; but I still would like to try to do it right.

Thanks,
Charles