Guys I'm looking for advice on clearing quite a few established trees from my long neglected dam

The dam is on the left in this picture. As you can see I have years of overgrowth.
Do I simply cut down every tree possible from the water line to where the backside of the dam meets the ravine grade at the outlet?
Here's a narrow shot of the outlet

Should I drop a tree or two into the water for cover?
Is it ok to just leave the fallen trees on the dam? The pond is in a deep ravine so getting any equipment down to the dam is extremely difficult to say the least.
Thanks!!!