Brettski,
I can guarentee that having a second floor that allows for a pond view will be the best part of your design. My house in California has a second story ocean view from the kitchen and living room and that was where we spent a great deal of our time.
That is what lead me to built the house, here, with the kitchen and living room on the second floor. The 10 or so feet of elevation make a large difference in perspective, like adding a wide angle lens to your camera.
