What kind of finish is your pool? If it's liner, then what damage will be done probably has already been done, in which case I would just let it sit until the water stops leaking, so you'll have an idea where the leak is. (Of course, you're probably in for a new liner anyway if the shallow end is dry). If it's gunite/plaster, I don't know what the ramifications are for leaving it dry, but I still think that it's going to be easier to find/fix the leak if you can let the water level show you where to start looking.
Janet
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