Got lower half of pond complete and it has been filling during the heavy rains we have had. I am building the pond in two halves seperated by a temp dam. The lower half is just a little over an acre and is already about seven feet deep.. I have been monitoring the level to see if it has any leaks before I stock it with fish. What should I expect as far as evaporation or "soaking in" for a new pond. The last week we have had no rain and the water has dropped 1 1/2 inches. Is this normal? I noticed that the banks and the dam are wet about a foot above the water line. The pond is about half full. Also the water is very muddy (1"vis) which I assume is normal because the grass i have seeded along the banks has yet to germinate and every time it rains it washes clay back into the pond. I did take a jar of the water and set it aside to see if it will settle out. How clear does the water need to be before I can begin stocking the fatheads and shiners?? I would also like to stock the pond with Yp, RES, and Bordello BG Bt. Would you suggest stocking at the same time as the Fh and shiners. I plan on giving it a year then stocking the WE SMB & HSB. Then BC the following year. If this were your pond and you were stocking these is this how you would do it? Other suggestions??