Digging a pond moves an amazing amount of dirt, doesn't it?
Do you think you could have done it with your tractor like you first planned?
re: pond sides.
I'd be careful if they are steeper than 3:1 (1' drop vertical for every 3' horizontal).
Steeper than 3:1 and they are a PITA to walk on, and there's the good possibility over time of them sloughing off and moving the pond edge futher out until they reach a point of equilibrium.
If it's clay, then there's the possibility of someone slipping on them and sliding all the way into the water before they come to a stop.
