Hi Greg,
A backhoe could remove the material between the ponds in a couple hours. (Although you might have a tiny island in the middle which might even be desirable) 50x225 would give you a pond larger than a quarter acre. Most states (not sure about West Virginia) will assist pond owners with stocking ponds for free or very inexpensively, *if* the pond is over a quarter acre. Please post an update when you decide what to do.
