Well, maybe not the kiss of death but we have sprung a leak in the pond levee. I thought for sure this area would not leak but I've been wrong before. I am trying something called Sodium Bentonite. It looks like clay powder. I can only hope it works.
Since I've cut this drain through the levee, water has been able to drain in the pond and fill it quickly this year. We may even have enough water to stock it.