I picked up on this old post as I now have the same problem. My husband brought the water level up a foot using an elbow without getting someone to laser it (and I told him it would flood my peninsula--it has come right come against the end). I have concern that my willow trees will not survive if the water level is with the top of the bulb on a small peninsula, now 12' wide--not to mention it is against my flower bed that I worked hard on. I spent many weekends grassing the edge of the new pond. His idea of bringing the water up was he doesn't like seeing steep edge and prefers the water at edge. How close is acceptable for my treese to survive. I know we will be cutting some of that elbow off as I am not compromising the peninsula size for water height. Thanks.