Mud chimney is a pretty positve indication that it was a crayfish. Ditch and stream dwelling crayfish will travel long distances on wet rainy nights moving from wet spot to wet spot, thus this is probably how and when they immigarted to your pond. Stream dwelling crayfish are usually chimney builders. Some species are more prove to digging tunnels-chambers that others. Underground chambers are where they usually incubate their eggs.


aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine -
America's Journal of Pond Management