Does the COE need to be involved on either new pond sites? When someone says you need that, I would listen carefully. You don't want to get involved with something that will lead to misery. I would ask them specifically why their involvement is needed. It might be size of pond, or some other small matter, and you could make small changes, like 1.5 acre instead of 2. I would think the high cost is due to the COE.
A pond that has to be excavated is more than one where the bull dozer just pushes the dirt out. Take that into consideration on your new site. And even 15K sounds expensive for the old 1/2 acre pond, if they have a place to push it out with a dozer and not haul it.
Here is a recent build by John F:
LINK Another recent thread on cost:
LINK
