I have them in various places on our property also. (Mostly along creek banks.) This grove just popped up in a thick patch right at the base of the dam. I thought it might mean something, I guess maybe not.
9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep. RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these. I think that's about all I should put in my little pond. Otter attack in 2023