Pine trees and sandy soils provide the dominant vegetation in Brunswick County. I would look toward native or naturalized plants to solve your screening problem. For durability, low maintenance, and cost, consider southern wax myrtle, inkberry holly, yaupon holly, Carolina Cherry laurel or red cedar. You may want to consider the spike rushes, ornamental grasses, cattails, or other aquatic type vegetation. Consider the area next to the pond a buffer.
Buffers are simply areas where the natural vegetation is encouraged to grow.
Water gardens have been around for many years in gardens of the wealthy and in public gardens. However, new technology has made the materials necessary for a water garden affordable to everyone. For a beginner, the best advice I can give you is to get a kit. According to the experts, the details of construction and maintenance can overwhelm the first-timer. Kits will include plastic frames or poly liners, water circulation pumps, hoses, and basic installation instructions.