backfill gravel under footings questions

[vanisleliving]

the water line where i am building is at 24" approximately. When I dig past that I get pooling of water.
Should i did a farther 6" and backfill with gravel to bring me up to above the water line by an inch or two or should I just stop digging at 24" and then fill 4-6" of gravel.

putting in 28" bigfoots on the gravel.
foundation for 24x32 cabin with loft