It's good you are making some progress.
Something that may/may not be a kicker. Look into whether or not you can build a dam, how high above current ground level that might be allowed, etc. Where I am going with this is flood plains exist to alleviate water as a place to back up into. If your dam prevents an are to be flooded, they may not approve it. So you might say that is not a problem, that you will just dig it out instead of building a dam. The problem then arises that the pond is subjected to anything that may flow from the river/creek/floodplain into your pond.... Perhaps unwanted fish that will mess up your stocking.
As far as the list of pond builders they might provide, do your homework here (learn about ponds, etc) so you know who might be good/trustfull and who might be giving you a line of BS.
