Duane welcome to the PB forum. Glad you posted. One thing to be sure of is that by going in you don't cause a leak in the pond bottom or side. If you have good clay in your location you should be ok.

WRT the total pond area (surroundings) think about what it will be/look like 5 and 10 years from now and plan for plants , trees, trails, paths , areas to sit or stand , sun and shade etc.