Brad,

I'm not an expert but since all the experts are busy doing pond stuff, here is layman's reponse.

Basically two types of ponds, excavated and embankment.

Embankment is where you dam up watershed or creek to catch runoff, excavated is where you dig a big hole.

Publication #590 on the the USDA/NRCS website details the building and design of ponds. It will give you a good general overview of pond construction and hydrology. I believe someone attatched a link to the publication in a previous post, so if you search the site for USDA 590 you can probably find it.

Good luck.
Pedro

Good luck.
Pedro