"There are currently cows on the 10 acres, and I'm not eager to kick them off so I can come out of the gate with an ag exemption."
Ragnuat,
I don't think anyone is suggesting you kick out the cattle. However, your wife and pond will be much happier if you separate the cattle from the pond!
There are many ways to do it. You can fence off the pond, and have a narrow bay that comes past the fence to a watering hole for the cattle. You can drive some pvc pipe through the pond bank and fill a cattle trough that you install below the pond water level. I am sure you can come up with many more options after looking over your specific situation.
In addition to muddying the water and affecting the life cycle of the pond creatures, the cattle will also destroy any slopes you create while building the pond. Finally, if the pond will be visible from the house, then the cattle will control your landscaping.
In my experience, happy wife >>> happy cattle!
Good luck on your new pond and homestead!
