New to NW Pa and new to having enough land to implement some dream projects....BUT..

Hi Everyone!
I have been following permies for some time now and have tried over the years to use permaculture in my urban garden in Austin, TX....but now I have 4.5 acres in the woods in NW PA.   The land is slightly sloped, heavy clay and heavily wooded.  Quite a different game!

I am eventually wanting to build a natural swimming pool and forest garden that helps feed the wildlife, but before I can do the fun stuff, I need to find a hydrologist (I was told) to help me figure out the lay of the land.  
I will also need an excavator and someone to help me find the septic drain field.   It's no problem finding an excavator, but it is hard to find someone who has conservation in mind.   There are a lot of old trees falling in the winds and it wasn't like this when I was younger.

I am having a dickens of a time finding a hydrologist.   I called the local University, but their one hydrologist left some time ago.
Does anyone have any ideas on where to start looking?   I also welcome any other advice....like, "you can bypass the hydrologist for (insert other wise person)"

Also...I only can get on the internet 1-2 times/week when I go into town...so there will be a delay in response; but I will be checking...so I would like to say that any suggestions are greatly appreciated and I appreciate the time given.

Thank You!
Laura

I dont think you need an Hydrologist, I think you need somebody who can assist in running levels.
That can be done quickly by a surveyor or slowly by yourself.
Does that interest you? Because I can teach contour establishment easily.
Also, you may find a map on the Net that has contours.
Is there an active septic now?
Any photos?

I looked up the contour map and it isn't giving me much and also just seems to be wrong. LOL.  I'm finding the whole GIS is off.

Contour establishment has always fascinated me (especially in drought prone Texas)....but I think this is beyond just establishing contours. But I have a limited understanding of the benefits of this technique.

The land is heavy clay and holds water in some places. It is only slightly sloped. There are more rains than there used to be so trees are falling.  I was told I needed the hydrologist because of the clay (by an engineer)...there is also a spring on the land as well that I want to protect.  I also have plans to build quite a few outbuildings.

I need the excavator not only for clearing the septic field but also to build a wall.

Will running levels be enough to address the clay?
I would love to learn how to do it regardless and will do it myself, if one person can do it by themselves.  Surveyors are too expensive and have 2-6 month lead times around here.  

The person who owned the property before me put in drains all over the place to keep the water away from the house...but I think it is all being dumped into what should be the septic field.  (Yes, there is a septic system, but I cannot find the field).

I can send pics next trip into town

Observation is the first principle of Permaculture.

Watch what happens when there is a moderate to heavy rain.

What path does the water take when it rains?

Where are the low spots that collect water?

Have you watched what happens when the snow melts?

As for finding the septic lines, I would call a septic company for help with that.

And the previous owner might help with where lines were placed.