Thanks for the input folks. Regarding trees...no cottonwoods or willows. the nearest ~150' are Emerald Ash (unfortunately about two acres of them); and that's a project for later...
I've spent more time on research on the pond issue than on anything else in the last couple of weeks. I don't want to drain and rework unless I absolutely have to. I toyed with the bentonite sprinkle idea since I think the edge where the dam meets the bottom, and the "shelf" the excavator build on the end opposite the dam are suspect (narrowing the area to treat). However, all the comments in this and other forums don't support giving that a try. I bumped into the ESS 13 product during my research, and have been in email conversation with those folks. I'm headed out of the house now to get a metal yardstick. Gonna measure changes (if any) while the well pump is still running. and then after turning the well pump off. I think what I am going to find out is that most of the 17,000 gallons a day going into it are then going somewhere else! I guess the rate of loss, without the well input factors into the amount of ESS 13. Don't even know what that stuff costs yet. The really crummy part is that the pond was part of the contract to build the house...same excavator. However, he is somewhat abrasive to deal with. I think he is going to tell me to go pound sand when I bring up the pond...therefore looking for the cheapest but effective fix. Regarding waiting...I really want to go ahead with stocking. It was supposed to happen in March; but I cancelled that for now
