Mark that looks great! I thought about doing that when my contractor was out but the $$$ scared me off.

Any concern about weakening the dam where they dug the trench?

FWIW, I rented a backhoe and did a DIY culvert repair at the cabin property.

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=459125#Post459125