Houston, we have a problem.

So, I decided it was time to open the pool...get it all ready for the summer. It had its big, ugly black winter cover on it. I put the pump on top of the winter cover, to pump off all the nasty "leaf water" and got my strainer on the telescoping pole to get all the dead leaves off of it. I got suspicious that there wasn't as much water on the cover as I thought there should be, what with all the rain we've had and such. To my HORROR, when I pulled back the cover, what do you think I found? Nasty, gross, green/brown pool water. How nice. NOT. I was simply sick about it. Seems the winter cover had a hole (holes?) and the nasty leaf water got into the pool. I quickly called Vaughn Pools and asked them where do I begin to fix this mess?!?!?! I have been instructed to pump out the water until it is just about 2 feet deep, then shock the hell out of the remaining water with chlorine/algaecide and then refill, and I should be in good shape. I can't drain it all the way, as that could mess up the liner (it would shift). The guy was pretty reassuring that it would be okay. God, I hope so. Last summer, it was so easy... I pulled off the winter cover, and the water was still clear. All I had to do was add chemicals and we were set to go. Oh, well, you live and learn. Lesson learned? This summer, after we're done with the pool, I'll put a leaf net over the winter cover, so there won't be all that nasty leaf water on top of it. AND...buy a better winter cover.