Is there a quick way of finding out if i've hit the water bed in my garden?

[Fantasmichris]

I've been digging in my garden for the pond and have reached about 1.5' and think i may have hit the water bed/table. I spent about an hour trying to empty it with buckets but the level barely seems to change. I have also tried using a water pump but unfortunately it broke!

Is there any quicker way of finding out if i've hit it? Also if i have hit it is there anything i can do about it so i can keep digging down without having to build a wall?

Any help would be much appreciated