Are you going to/getting ready for your brother to do the new ponds?
In defense of the guy you never heard back from. Stuff happens. Computers crash, cell phones damaged, lots of other possibilities, etc. If you really liked him, I would reach out one more time to see what's up.... don't like his response, move on.
Why not use the dozer to cut in the small pond? Especially if you have tapered sides.
