canoetrpr- Esshup is dead on about the process of cleaning out a wet pond. Loretta also brings up very good points about getting started in drying it up to save time, money, and doing it better. Combining both of their ideas into one is the way to go. find the deepest point near shore and start pumping. and keep it pumped. Once the majority of water is gone, dig another spot to be lower than where you are pumping(near shore) and set up pump there. Keep repeating process till you are as deep as you want to go with the whole pond.
If you have gravel(or sand) the water flows thru that the easiest. It is a big factor as to how water is able to travel in underground rivers/springs. If you have gravel like that, most likely the water will be forced up thru that because its the path of least resistance for the water and thus will be the wettest spot. I would guess(some from experience) that even if it is gravel, you may find it acts much like quicksand because of all the water. I almost lost my 15 ton excavator in a spot like this. Expensive fish habitat!!!
Pumping is a big pain, but draglines have problems too. Do your research and choose your best options(cost and time you want to spend helping). Both options are viable and each have their place.
