Is it wise to build the house downhill of the dam?

Hey all,

I have a fairly challenging property in Maine; USDA zone 4.

The slope faces North, which of course, isn't ideal; but it's what I got, and it's not that bad for sun exposure.

Where I have my largest pond planned, I'd like to put the house just north of, to catch all that reflected sunlight. My reservation is that the pond, and it's feeding swales, would have nicely hydrated the soil; and while good for my plants, isn't so good for the foundation.

Is there any history of building Downhill from a dam? What measures could I employ to keep the foundation dry?

Thanks!

Good source of gravity fed water system for the house.

How far away are we talking? What kind of soil? What kind of foundation? How much more downslope past the house? How tall is the dam wall at high water? how big is the pond it is holding back?