Meadowlark,
I hear ya...and this is way too big a deal to pull a punch in the first round to lose the fight later. I want to take that same attitude for all facets of the project, including pursuing the NRCS assistance. So far, I read this as a classic "you get what you paid for" scenario. I repeat, I am thrilled with the results so far. I just talked with my bro in the U.P. of Mich; he built a 3.5 Ac pond in the woodland flats and it took about $33K about 5 years ago. This included clearing alot of timber and a pond that averages 6 - 7 feet. Moral of the story; as Bob Lusk says, each case is unique...there is no hard and fast formula. So, when I came across this forum, it showed up just in time for me to "bone up" on preparations for the real artistry.
