** 3/24/07 UPDATE **
Well, the ice is long gone. Ed Eitel asked a vexing question during the January freeze:
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as your pond level rises, do your fish attracting devices rise also with the ice? (Only to be moved when ice thaws).
Whoa, that one spooked me. It appears that the fish structure fared well. I can barely see the tops of the remaining visible tire pyramids; they look fine. All the tires and PVC trees, on Sunil's Mound are totally submerged. The tops of the rest of the PVC trees at the reef and Theo's Cluster are barely visible, but they are all still there. Most of them are tipped over a bit; I contribute that to ice shift. Who cares, right?
I haven't posted pics of progress since the end of January. I have been to the project once since that time, but the only changes were 18" of snow; not post-worthy. D-ski and I visited yesterday, after a week of significant rain through the midwest. Yeah baby; she's comin' on. We picked up a little over 2 more feet of water elevation. We are 3'-2" from normal pool.
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The standard reference shot from the building site:

A few more milestones have been achieved. The sand beach is just beginning to slip below the surface. As noted above, the PVC trees and tire pyramids are about 6" from gone.
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The reference shot from the dam, looking back to the building site.
The launch and dock/deck are just right of building pad. The beach and beach dock are left/frame.
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...taken from the edge of the wetland area.

The structure reef is in the water foreground; almost gone. On the opposite shore, the cribs and saucers are almost gone. The water has reached the edge of the woods. The slope of the grade back into the timber is mostly gentle, so 3 more feet of water will flood it nicely. One of the 2 draws that feeds us water is in this zone. It has just started to back up water with the arrival of this new depth. Recent rains had it runnin' nice and smooth.

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Another valuable water feed is the drain tile. It was also anxious to share inflow.

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The dam is greening up fairly well. We planted it with cereal rye last fall to stabilize erosion.

This entire area will soon be prepared for warm weather native grasses, shrubs, and a heavy dose of wildflowers. In fact, the entire perimeter of the pond is slated for vegetation development in a few weeks by use of the NRCS W.H.I.P. program.
D-ski and I have alot of work ahead, all necessary to benefit nature and fulfillment of dreams. All in all, the progress is pleasing and rewarding.