Chuck :

Great job. I have not seen a more through approach posted here. A couple of thoughts.

The more you learn here by joining in the better you can tweak your plan to meet your goals. Also if your goals change you will be able to make the changes armed with info gained here. You can not get, at any price ,better norhtern pond advice than you have/will get from the others above.

Check into rigid plastic netting for a barrier. It can be cut to shape. You could add a footing that it would slide into and attach it to a couple alum. poles in the swale. Is the water high in spring or winter? If winter then ice becomes a question.

Be careful about adult beverages. To many and swimming do not go well together not to mention operating equipment or guns .

At the start get soil samples so you will have a baseline on your dirt to work with. They are cheap 10-20 $.

You should have a great time with your ponds and remember it is about the fun and the journey. \:\) \:D