Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site Small North East PA Pond

hey guys.. I am totally new to this. I just purchased a home on a little over 3 acres. The home elevation is well above where the pond would be built. I have a few questions before I get started.

Running through the edge of my property is a small stream that flows all year. The stream is 3-5 foot wide and a trickle to a 2-3ft deep with some deacent depth holes. The stream does has aquatic life, frogs, minnows...etc.

I have 2 ideas, not sure if either idea is legal or a deacent idea.

1. Divert the stream with a pipe into the dug out pond and then pipe the water back into the stream before my property line ends. I would not be diverting the entire flow of the stream, but enough to keep fresh water in the pond.

2. Near the end of the property, I would dam the area up. With this idea, I would no need to divert the stream in any manner. I would then have a spillway bck into the creek basin. I believe I would still need to dig a hole for the pond.

I would like a small pond, somewhere around 40X30ft. I would like it hold trout. I planned on a depth of around 8-12ft.

A buddy of mine has a similar pond, but the stream run directly down the middile of the yard and through the pond, I can not do that due to the location of the stream. I will upload pics tomorrow.

Thank you