There were 2 possible pond locations on our 30 acres. The 1st location and most prefered did'nt pan out. We dug a 7 foot deep hole in hopes of finding ground water (catails in the area), but the hole was bone dry. The conclusion was the catails survived on water that is held by a shallow clay layer in this low laying depression. Anyway, on to plan B. We have a small stream that flows on the other side of the property. The watershed running into this stream is to great to locate a pond directly on. The neighbor excavation contractor placed a 3/4 acre pond directly on the stream and spring rains and snow melts were slowly silting the pond in (even with a small retension pond above it). His solution was to drain and remove the silt from the pond and then reroute the stream around the pond. He built a valved inlet into the pond to control the flow during the spring runoff. My thought is to replicate his layout on our property (1/4 mile downstream of his pond). can anyone give advice on this type of layout and pit falls to avoid? My thought is to use his experience on or pond (he is doing the digging as well). For turn over the pond will have a piped inlet and piped outlet. Should we include a pond drain? Does a pond flow control valve exist? (one that would automatically close during heavy rains and open as the water velocity slowed).

Thanks, Chris