weekender, welcome aboard. I can't comment on the stocking part since my smaller ponds are all single use, but I might talk to the builder and see about digging part of the pond a little deeper than might seem necessary. That will give you a little protection during a drought, and an ability to handle the biomass better.

Listen to Dave and George as far as stocking, they've been there, done that.

East TX is pretty big, what part of the state are you near?

AL