Pond on former logging landing

We have property in southern BC at the foot of a mountain and there is a landing which was made about 30 years ago. Scraped and leveled and this is where the logging trucks were loaded and skidders brought logs to (very well packed). Even when we have heavy rains there is very little pooling of water. We hope to build a pond here but a small excavation that we did revealed rocks (some very big but we are at the foot of a mountain) and a small amount of sandy clay though not enough to restrict drainage. We hope to have a pond for fire suppression if needed, water for garden and aesthetics.
I would assume that we need to excavate, seal the bottom with packed clay (?) and ....
We don't really know where to start and would be thankful for any advice.

You should make some test holes in that area, then fill those holes with some water and see how long it takes for it to drain.

This will give you a general idea about what will be needed to make a pond there.

Bryan and Cris : The bigger the logging operation, the more chewed up and disturbed the soil horizons will be, to say nothing of soil compaction!

Most of the people in the logging game are multi generational Blue collar workers who will give you the shirt off of their back ! Having said that, doing it the way
Grampa did it often means 'getting by', 'Doing it on the cheap', 'good enuf', 'That'll hold'er', And my favorite 'Drain the oil right thar, and kick some sawdust over it !'

I am being negative, AND repeating stereotypes when I say that around here we call Logging Crew members "Tree-tards'' - unless their actions have earned them
special names like lefty, and stumpy !

Mushroom fungi can perform miracles in soil remediation just go forward with a project like this with your eyes wide open - Check every puddle for an oil sheen -

And heres a good one, have multiple water quality tests done as you can afford them. This is your only real protection against a neighbor doing something stupid and
ruining a water supply.

If you can't prove the water quality of your water before 'the incident', you just have a pocket full of broken dreams, and no legal recourse !

I apologize for this negative rant, The whole thing brought up some bd memories ! Big Al !

agree about the test pit(s) to start... and wariness regarding possible dumping...smart observation there...
local fire dept interested in a hydrant from the pond? maybe they can help,
because they often work with ponds, know contractors, etc.
does the province have agencies that support pond work?

Tim : Right back at you! Bryan, your Local Fire Dept Will be interested in access to your pond, may choose your location for a dry hydrant, and may be able to tell
you about pool building programs in your area ! For the Good of the Crafts ! Big Al !

Thanks for the heads up about checking with province re:pond building, and fire dept about same., There could be some real help there if we are in an area that the fire dept thinks is helpful.
We have dug down in a few places in the area and drainage is very fast all over due to substrate (large and small rocks and small amount clay sand).
In cases like this is it best to haul in a good rich clay ? and to what depth (6" clay?), I assume you could pack the clay in with a backhoe pounding on it or . Has anyone made a pond on very well drained rocky substrate ? or do you think this is a bit of an exercise in futility?

Bryan : Look here in Permies for discussions on using 'Pigs to 'seal' the bottom of your Pond' !

I use the search option from the tools section above between the 'Permies Banner' and 'the Permies Video of the day', I pick doing a Google search in Permies, cause
it works better for me ! Big Al " THINK LIKE FIRE, FLOW LIKE WATER ! PYRO-logically Big AL !