Opening pool leak suspected. How do I track it down

[feinerl]

I have been opening and closing my pool for the last 10 years with no trouble. My standard procedure is to blow air through all the lines at close plug them, and use antifreeze in the returns after blowing them as well. I took off the cover this morning to find the water level below the coping, below the returns one of the returns is halfway covered with water. I am trying to figure out the best way to find the leak before I fell and start the opening procedure. Any recommendations?

 

[feinerl]

Water level in skimmers is higher than the pool suggesting to me it is on the return side and I think the half covered return even though capped must be the culprit. Would love an experienced perspective before I start digging.

 

[Bperry]

Water level in skimmers is higher than the pool suggesting to me it is on the return side and I think the half covered return even though capped must be the culprit. Would love an experienced perspective before I start digging.

Can you explain more and maybe add some pictures? It’s pretty warm down here lately, how do you know you just didn’t have lots of evaporation?

 

[feinerl]

It is possible and I am adding water now. Water level has never been this low at opening before. Is a gunnite pool and the water is down at the level of the returns. Suspect the circled return line because the others are all below the water line.

 

[Bperry]

It is possible and I am adding water now. Water level has never been this low at opening before. Is a gunnite pool and the water is down at the level of the returns. Suspect the circled return line because the others are all below the water line.

You up might want to drain off some of that green water before refilling with fresh? Or is it just weird reflections making it look that way?