1 Cubic foot of water equals 62.48 pounds - the trick here is calculating the lateral pressure, but doing a little googling I found the following formula:
R =(62.4)(L)(H squared)/2 (R = pounds force)
The force water exerts is equal both sideways as vertically, so using this calculation we can determine the force that will be exerted against the wall at its lowest exposed point by using the long width of the pond as L and 13" (call it 1.1)
62.4*30*(1.1 ^ 2) all over 2 = approximately 1,133 pounds over 1 square foot of lateral force at ground level, which translates to a pretty measly 7.865 pounds per square inch (1,133/12/12). (If my math is right, and I think it is a TAD low because if you imagine a column of water 1 inch square and 30' high that's 360 inches of water which is 360 cubic inches which is about a gallon and a half, and a gallon is 8 pounds (pints) ("a pint's a pound the world around")
Since your cement block is filled with gravel and rebar and you've got 1k lb concrete between the two wall layers - I'm reasonably certain that your wall strength combined is sufficient. However, to be ABSOLUTELY certain, you should consult with a structural engineer who can do all the complex engineering calculations that go into figuring lateral, axial and compressive strength of concrete, etc...
I had to draw a small diagram to see how the area was around the house. I drew a swale in to show what is there already, or hopefully something that can be created
What looks troubling here is the concentration of runoff heading to the house IF there is no swale there, that is why I hope there is one there, if not you really need to get the flow away form the house. It is bad enough that it is sandy, the water can still perk into the foundation, though it will be minimized with a swale. The clay base on the north side, sounds exactly as you describe, a bowl.
You need to do whatever you can to minimize the water infiltration, to start. It may not require to pipe the downspouts away from the house to a drywell or into a French drain, well not a French drain as you may plan around the house. French drains return the water to the ground, and in turn the crawlspace. What I mean is terminating the downspouts into an in ground pipe that daylights downhill of the home. A drywell would work too, but it is much more than may be needed.
This is the minimum I would suggest, although it is still a lot to do. I would also consider waterproofing the foundation, it may work on most of the foundation, but I think the runoff would still migrate under the foundation on the south side since it is still on sand/ clay mix presumably.
All of this is still tempered by the symptoms created by the water in the crawlspace. If there is no evidence of black marks (mildew) or white fuzzy stuff growing in places from the excess moisture in the crawlspace, if none of these symptoms exist, al least extreme measures are not needed. Regrade if needed, would be the minimum, downspouts to daylight away from the house the next active remedy, drywell addition the next, and if you are doing all that digging, waterproof the foundation, all these measures combined are the extreme I mean.
Edit 1/26/13
Aside from the shape of the house and other extensions from it, it shows the same thing happening except your swale that exists is more of a collection point. It appears the rain runoff takes the same path, but the house is in the way. The swale in the above sketch I posted would divert the rain water before it gets too close to your home. Is this a possibility to happen? It can be done by lowering the grade or if the house is high enough above grade, the grade can be raised, but that has implications too. The water in the swale may be of no concern. I would draw more concern to the south and west side where the rain looks like it is path is unencumbered to the foundation.
I will edit your drawing to show a more accurate idea and post it.
Back at the downspouts that I mentioned earlier, if the grade looks like it can daylight a underground lead would help reduce the amount of water at the foundation. Yet the addition of the swale will redirect the downspout water as well.
Best Answer
I don't think that digging a pond will help
The water is where it's at and the soil is saturated like a wet sponge, removing dirt for clear open water, aka a pond, is just removing the dirt in the pond, it won't change the water level.
These days the construction of houses take lot drainage into consideration but that was not the case for your older house. It looks like the surrounding area tends to slope right to your house and the low spot is at the deepest water.
Other Ways to Deal With The Water
In the picture it looks like your yard slopes down hill to a forest. You need to get water to a place lower than where it is currently, and the forest, if lower than your lowest spot near the house, is a great place for it. You would need to slope downhill to it at least 1/4" per foot of length