Ewest, that makes perfect sense and would be easy to do with the backhoe. We have a pipe driving sleeve and have had great success driving pipes through just about anything. We could bury the pipe deeply and attach it to the base of the tree with slack chains. And it is also a good point that we need not worry if it is slow to waterlog, as long as we can prevent the drift. Great advice. I wish I had discovered this forum earlier. We are going to start on the next pond very soon, but it will be much easier, I think. We are only going to move about 4000 yards of earth to dam a half mile creek/canyon filled with oak trees. It will be nearly choked with structure. Going to put in a more modern spillway. I need to get some pictures and ask for specific advice on that place too. We had already dug most of this pond before I discovered this forum. Thanks, all....Tom