So my 1/2 acre pond has completely dried out this fall.

I don't have an excavator but I do haver a FEL and I thought I might clean out the bottom.
The bottom has cracks a foot deep. Is that an indication of how far down I can dig it out?
Any suggestions of things I should do now before the rains hopefully return in the spring?
Will digging it deeper help with evaporation?

Thanks, Art