Thanks Charlie. I won't bore you with all the details, you can check my post in the site selection forum if interested about what all is going on. Short version: ive been digging by shovel and threw some of the muck on the top of the dam that is in good shape so I can get a good start of grass soon. The other I've just piled up and will remove with heavier equipment than my back and a shovel when I start the deepening/widening phase. Yes thanks to info here I've come to appreciate the need for compaction by sheepsfoot. The dam does have a good amount of clay in it as well as some other areas in and around this area. I'm hoping somewhere I can find enough to plug the dam. I'm just curious as to how to get things plugged correctly. I don't think I'll be able to get any equipment across the dam. I'm open to all ideas though...
