Brettski, thanks for the encouragement (and for the previous info about the driveway/electric - that was helpful). It was kinda exciting when she estimated that the pond would be larger than we had thought and that she thought the site looked good.
I am leaning toward the lower site if the pond will be substantially larger. The spring is well defined with a fairly deep channel. It emanates well above the lower site, but possibly within the upper site. The spring is another reason I'm favoring the lower site.
Jersey, thanks for the advice. I plan to check with local contractors, and I was considering asking them for their suggested site before sharing with them any plan I get from the NRCS. I'll be sure to ask them about the spring. Fortunately the local NRCS office is not swamped with work and they seem willing to do engineering work on a recreational dam. I'm hoping that at the least I will learn something from them that will make me more knowledgeable when I talk with a contractor.
