If you're like me and lucky enough to have a buddy in the construction trade, see if he/she has a laser transit you can borrow. If not, the local rental shop has one at $35/day.
This consists of a rotating laser unit that you level and the standard 24 foot stick to which you attach the receiver. It beeps when you reach the correct elevation. It is SO sweet and I've used the thing many times in making decisions as to elevation for the pond and confirming overflow height. It doesn't lie and with some surveyor's flags, it can really help you picture where the water line will eventually be. Look around, they can be found....
In a lifetime, the average driver will honk 15,250 times. My wife figures I'm due to die any day now...
