Thanks for all the imput guys it is very much appriciated. my pond is fed by rainwater and probably some underground springs, so i am not sure how i would employ an upsteam setteling pond. Don good point on the erosion problem exactly what i am trying to avoid. my first plan was to dig the edges eiter 2:1 or 3:1 and line with riprap udown to at least 3' then continue the slope 3:1 or 4:1 to the basin. looks now like i may wind up draining the entire pond letting it dry out and get a bulldozer and a track hoe in to clean out the years of sediment.