Same issue.
Finally settled on a quick dry sieve to reclaim some soil.
Then raked back and forth in a wheelbarrow of water.
I was in the process of making a drain and was able to pour away about 40 barrows of muddy water without blocking anything.
Each 1/4 barrow of gravel used 1 barrow of water (in 2 lots), and left 1 shovel of sand.
If you can't dispose of the muddy water, leave it to settle for a day and the silt will drop out.
Best of luck