Want ponds, have HEAVY clay, LOTS of water and minimal slope...

I am a total newb.

Some specific things above water harvesting etc I would like to do is to grow rice and fish.

Was thinking that I would like to do a sacrificial water cleaning pond (water comes from road and neighbours') that is relatively deep, but then have number of ponds with relatively high surface area to volume ratios (i didnt see much water infiltration happening at all in some test holes).

My concern is the nature of my clay - it is leda clay - a soil subtype that is inherently unstable, can suddenly liquefy and, according to Natural resources Canada, is “vulnerable to catastrophic landslides.”
-dam construction nightmare?

Many thanks,
Matt

Build holes instead of dams then?

Dig holes for sure. Easy peasy with clay and lots of water!