I have a few secret ponds that tend to be good indicators of water levels. One of them, which is fed by a creek (not spring), was nearly completely dry. I went there in sept to check it out, and saw several panfish and bass rotting in the mud. That really upset me. my other pond (spring fed) is about 8 to 12 inches too low. same with the creek that feeds it. I only got 1 brown trout in it this year just before closer, but the bass and pannys are still biting in the pond