I know what you mean with regards to the "1 foot off the bottom" Dennis, by if your pool is still 3/4 full, at least you know the bottom (floor) is likely not the issue, I've found most leaks within inches of the water level where it settles after the winter.
Mine had a small hole from me removing the stairs myself, after the winter, I noticed the level much lower than normal, sure enough, the hole was about 2 inches below the water level.
This spring, I kept filling up the pool over and over, finally found a hole right above my return jet - once again 2" below the water level (likely the aqualuminator fountain attachment that did that hole).
So I was going off my experiences with that suggestion since it seems to always work for me.