I'm no pond builder, but I can say that my small pond was mucked out last year and the dam had little to no residual muck left on the rocky clay and the plant life is doing exceptional in that area. Other areas has some darker soils left around the remaining upper perimeter (about a third). I suppose it all boils down to the fertility of your watershed, mine seems to be very nutrient rich. If it lacks fertility, it might be a good idea to put some top soil back in, if not, I'd leave it out. Let's see what the experts say before you take my advice however.
EDIT: I have read that some folks will put some top soil down so that they can seed grass or wheat (or whatever) over the entire pond bottom and sides so that erosion is kept to a minimum as the pond fills.
Last edited by Quarter Acre; 08/03/17 10:08 AM.
