Limb Bream,
I sure like the look of the grass growing right to the edge of the water. Reminds me of some of the ponds where I lived in south Texas, years ago.
I agree with Bobad, pumping sounds good but it is difficult when you are part of a larger water system. My pond is in a similar situation. It was filling before the digging was finished. Rain finished filling it quickly then when we went into the dry season all water that was higher than the ground water slowly receded to ground water level, plus I lose 1/2" a day to dehydration. If I knew then what I know now, I would have built a pond almost exactly as yours, with the banks at or near ground level.
