I would check your grade height of the water level in the creak and the water table level. If your land is low and you do find clay in the bottom of the hole when building you may need to get out of the hole fast. That clay can hold lots and lots of water back.

I personally would take grade heights make a grade plan with the house in mind and the water level. This is what we did here. The fill you take out from building the pond can give you a nice grade around the new home. Higher is dryer for the new home.

I would dig a test hole as deep as the high hoe can dig 12 feet. Keep the hole open for a year and take water level heights and grade. If you find clay on your way to 12 feet you may have to arrange a over flow first.

Cheers Don.

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7/8th of an acre, Perch only pond, Ontario, Canada.