Welcome to the forum!

Before turning over the first shovelful of soil, I'd recommend (in addition to typing your fingers raw here) getting the book "Perfect Pond" from the pond boss store. It has a LOT of reference info in it.

How much experience do you have in using heavy equipment? How big of a pond do you want to build? If you don't own, or can't beg/borrow the equipment, is there a rental place nearby?

www.hoosierpondpros.com

[Linked Image from lh6.ggpht.com]
http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).