Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Renovating a Pond or Lake? Leaving stumps intact?

After conducting a good bit of research into old threads, I have a beginners question:

If you're attempting to rebuild a 5-6ac lake bed that has grown up in the last 40 years, is completely clearing the site to solid clay the only avenue? If I have the acreage logged, and leave a majority of the stumps underwater, does that induce problems?

I'm not sure if leaking would ever be a problem, as this old lake bed has 2 creeks that feed it year round.

The current trees average 8 inches and are mostly yellow poplar, sweet gums, and 2in maples- nothing with tanic acid.

Do a test borehole and see clay content. If you have good clay basin then leave the stumps (at varying heights) for structure. However if swimming is a goal don't leave stumps where you will swim into them. A good idea to leave groups of stumps to aggerate fish. Don't leave the entire bottom with stumps ( some clean bottom and with groups of stumps).

Got it! Thanks. If clay is solid, then I'll remove saplings, but keep the larger trees in groups- leave stumps at the lowest height possible