Book 24, Question 111
Can a forked stick really find water underground?
Some people walk around holding a forked stick, saying it dips down over water. This is called dowsing. When scientists test dowsers under careful conditions, they do no better than chance. The stick moves because of tiny, unconscious movements of the hands.
More fun facts
- Dowsing means using a forked stick, rod or pendulum to try to find water underground.
- Dowsers are also called diviners or water witches.
- Most use a forked stick from a tree like willow, peach or witch hazel.
- The stick is supposed to dip down when the dowser walks over water.
- When scientists examine dowsing closely, the results look very different from the stories.
- In many places, water is so close to the surface that almost any well would find some.
Sources: U.S. Geological Survey
Questions kids ask
Why do some dowsers seem to succeed?
Underground water is so common in many areas that it's hard to drill a well and not find water.