Will a high water table mess up a lined pond?

I was hoping for a ground water pond due to the normally high water table, but this year both test holes have been dry. This is also the first year in 11 years that the sump in my parents basement has not kicked in. Normally they have two pumps running, which this year has been good for them.

I have also looked at some neighboring ponds and they are very low or dry. Last year you could poke a stick in the ground and hit water.

Not wanting a dry hole in the ground, I am entertaining a liner. I wont really get the pond I want, but at least it wont be dry.

My friend is going to be out next month with his backhoe to remove some monster stumps in my garden area, and rough in a small pond that will be lined.

Maybe one more stab at a test hole (was 8ft) down to 16ft or so.

We have also had normal rainfall this year. Where did all the water go?