I live at the bottom of a stair stepped property that has a trickly of a creek running through it. I have a perfect ravine at the top of my property Ive been debating on daming up with a 10' tall dam. Which is about 30 feet from the top of my house. If it gave way all at once....it would come down pretty fast. I just dont know if I want to worry about it or not. But god Id love that new pond. (I already have a big one..but its shallow, & I cant swim in it.)