3 Feet (1 meter) is the limit suggested in the "Design Notes" linked up above, for the simple duct lift. The "cycling" ram pump suggests it can get to 5 meters (15 feet) in some cases.

Both require some "inlet line slope," and it's not clear whether the creek runs enough water to expect much real success.

I didn't see a formula for estimating the evaporation losses in my cursory look at what's available, but farmers around my area suffer a lot of loss with their small ponds, and have very real problems keeping year-round water in the little ones. It shouldn't be too hard to search up a method for estimation.

The note on checking with the ag guy is based on personal acquaintance with at least three area farmers who started ponds and were forced to "break out" their small dams before they got any water in them due to the "liabilities" if they finished the job. Much better to check before moving a bunch of dirt (or sealing the pond bottom(?)).

John