Thanks to all for the input. ewest, the pond may be "red water" because bottom and sides are red clay. However, a very old pond next to it is blue/dark water, so the new one may settle out after filling? I will add the pallets. I was concerned about dry creek rushing in with a big rain would wash them out, but I'll tie them off as you described. I'm a good big rain away from being half full or perhaps a decent hard rain on the watershed away. Temps are still in the upper 80s.