Thanks for the reply......just so I understand you correctly...your suggesting I dig a hole and no worry about clay etc.

Also how big should the berm be? I met a guy who seemed to know what he was talking about and he suggested digging out one spring to the creek and make a dam out of 4" I-beams with 4x4 fence post in them....then when the water starts to get high just pull a couple post. Would this be a good idea?