Most ponds around here are built for cattle. So minimal contruction with just a bulldozer. Some of these ponds have been around decades with seepage and they do fine.
If your soils are mostly clay, there shouldn't be a problem. And besides, sediment basin dam? I agree, doesn't matter if its seeping into the lake.
Biggest problem I've seen in my general area is idiots build a dam and don't put a pipe in it. We all know what happens next..............
But what do I know, I'm just a kid who played with one too many fireworks on the 4th of july.
