I have a pond that is leaking after being constructed last year. The contractor is working with me to fix it but first I would like to know how fast it is losing water beyond what is "normal". Right now I have a yard stick in the pond and can take measurements at any time and record them. My question is about how to best take a control reading to compare to the pond reading. I have heard to fill a bucket and other ideas. I want to make sure that evaporation due to wind is factored into to control reading. Also, I am curious how much (inches or fractions of an inch) per week is considered OK for a pond to lose.

Thanks