Concerning the way into Moria...

[MatthewM]

I need help clearing something up about The Company's journey into Moria. Even after all the times I have read this passage new images spring to mind and new questions arrive. When the Fellowship reaches the top of the Stair cut in the stone and they see the valley that has been flooded because of the dammed Sirannon, how do they get to that little pool with dirty water that is only a little over their feet in depth?

I might have missed something, but I was confused as to how they got to this little pool where they reached the entrance to Moria. Gandalf said they could not go the same way they were going to since the flood was far too dangerous, but then it does not say how they reached that little pool in which they crossed. Did they just carefully go around the floods edges and then come to it? But then they do that anyway, after the little pool. That's why I'm confused too.

Any help?
Thanks!