ETW,
Great testimony, better photos. In my most humble opinion, you did the right thing. As a matter of fact, if you are interested, this would make great fodder in the magazine. You are cordially invited to string a few words together along with those pics and let's tell the world. Yours is a classic issue that too many people miss. In the Nov-Dec issue of PB, Mike Otto writes about dirt. If you can put together 500-600 words about this real world deal, we can use it as a sidebar to Otto's story. But, the deadline is coming quickly. If interested, email me directly at pondboss@texoma.net.
Back to your situation, I think you made a brilliant decision to fill and pack. Ironically, most people look in a test hole, see water and are thrilled. Those who know how to play this game see water and chills run down their spine. Well done, sir.
Now...let the pond fill and see how she does. It ain't over until it fills and stays that way.
