Thank you for the advice. I will do that. The rest of the pond bottom feels pretty solid when probing around but I will probably try pushing some of it to this deeper end with the hole to save money on bringing clay in by truck. I plan on renting a ride on sheep’s foot roller to compact the entire pond bottom and sides afterwards. The price I got from a local place for clay was $800 per truckload ! Would it be wiser to spend the money on a truckload of bentonite if plan A doesn’t work? Is there anything I should put in the bottom of the hole once I get it dug out? Like concrete or limestone shavings before I back fill with fresh dirt ( I think it’s what they call Red Select soil here in Oklahoma) I’m worried once the pond is a full 8 or 9 ft deep the pressure may cause the leak to form again. I’m sorry for the stupid questions but really I just don’t know what I’m doing and I can’t afford outside help. But, my wife and I have a dream of this beautiful pond with a fountain , fish, ducks ,and a row boat. It may break me but I can’t give up! 😁