The "water witch" showed up with a willow branch that looked like a forked part of the tree. Of you use geology and science they will not guarantee anything either. Water dowsing can be performed through a wide range of water dowsing equipment. Our back yard was our an acre and our front was probably around a quarter. So definately something to do with natural magnetic or other waves that rods are picking up. Hed hold it with his arm out and after a while the weight would start to swing back and forth. Use a length of 1 inch (2.5 cm) dowel rod, with a hole through the center. Had one fellow come to me in desperation because his wife wanted new house and needed swimming pool. Good luck. I found two more spots and rushed to tell him. Dowsers often use a dowsing stick, pendulums, or even water dowsing rods. Should the project costing thousands of dollars be based upon scientific information about the rocks beneath a site, their water-yielding properties, and known principles of groundwater flow; or, should it be based upon a forked stick and an unexplainable force. Water witching, also known as dowsing, has been around for a long time but has never been fully accepted as a legitimate tool by the scientific community. When professional consultations are required or preferred, the landowner must make a decision. "Experts in the old days held a forked willow branch in both hands, and the single part of the stick would turn as they crossed over water. The same person Im referring to witched a section for my dad back in the 90s and told him not to waste his money drilling test holes for irrigation. Our current well is very high in sodium. I seem to find them occasionally with the backhoe ?? Easter: Why Is It a Different Date Each Year? All I know is my experience with water witching. My father in law, Lowell, was held in high esteem within our county as a master dowser. Place flags apart from each other to see how wide the vain is. I usually also check the state register of wells in area to get an approximate depth and well capacity in area. Has to be a forked limb from a willow or fruit tree. After locating the underground water with a forked willow, he figured out how deep it was by using a willow stick about 3 feet long. I use welding rods first, to see if theres water, and where, or several possible locations on the property, he says. He witched and said there was an underground river but extremely deep. Long story short is we couldnt pump our well dry, ever. It depends on the location and the severity of the drought, but usually it's between $75 and $200. August 10, 2022 by allaboutdowsing. Make sure the rod ends are not tipped upward or downward. When I found out witching would work for me an old well witcher told me that if you cant find water on the top of the hill go to the bottom or vise versa. When dowsing for water, Lynn uses two steel welding rods, bent in L shape. Lynn uses willow because its plentiful, but hes also used chokecherry branches. Thank you very much. Date: October 17, 2021 Author: Bishop Bill 22 Comments. Some more anecdotal evidence for those who hang their hats on such:One of my old friends who lived on a farm in Montana had a very nice farmstead but had the misfortune to live atop a very deep formation of Bear Paw Shale. . Guy that does most of the hoe work for my plumber can do it. After they dug several dry holes. "Willow branches," he says. Over the last century, several studies have shown that the average dowser is no better at predicting the location of water than anyone else. I too can find electrical and water lines. and water witching. One of the most popular dowsing activities is dowsing for water. Traditionally, the most common dowsing rod is a forked (Y-shaped) branch from a tree or bush. I guessed at a spot and they dug down 300ft. I told them to throw their dowsing rods away. I have produced a 4 Page Water witching Facts from my knowledge of the topic. Said Id try. And the hole was dry at 520 feet. All this information allows the hydrogeologist to develop a three-dimensional model of the property that might define locations that are promising or those that should be avoided. We use this same technique to locate graves except we use brass rods. When hes asked to locate a well, Lynn tries to find a spot where two underground streams cross, at different depths, he says. Water witching for graves. 1. My dad could as well. General logic is that youd find water more often in the valley floor than on a high mountain. If you have ever been to underground caverns theres places where water swirled and made these huge pools, I always picture in my mind thats whats going on and that might make sense why its a good spot. I can't do it. Yes, water witching has been in existence for a long time. The well driller drilled 120 feet at that spot and got 18 gallons a minute. Other words and phrases that refer to this process include: doodlebugging, divining and water witching, willow witching. Went over and I said lets hop in your pickup. Theres just not that much luck to be found. Leave water/electricity off and nothing happens. When trying to find one of the house skeptics. I believe those were well drillers,not well diggers. Would be curious if life expectancy or health issues differ from those who can and can't. Thats a big gamble. I had a small tractor with a backhoe on it at the time. Havent been successful at it myself but Ive seen it done and it does work. Next time I try for water I am using science, geology, not BS. It took a while to learn how to hold them loosely while balancing them. The single end was sharpened to a point, exposing the wet, fresh willow wood. Also then count the side to side movements to determine the depth of the second vein. Usually look at blue prints to go onto the street and mark what is needed. In fact, historical images that appear to represent dowsing appear all over the worldin the temples of Egyptian pharaohs, in ancient Chinese etchings and more. My Dad found the location for our well with a willow stick. If it stops going side-to-side and starts bobbing again, this indicates another vein of water below that one and you can count the bobs to see how deep it is (when it stops and goes side-to-side again), he says. I dont have much luck finding water veins consistently. I know a guy that has this one and has yet to try it out. Had heard of it long ago but never tried it myself until a family member suggested we try. He always witched or dowsed before drilling. I try to stay local. Lynn counts each time it bobs, and each bob represents about a foot of depth. Most frustrating thing Ive ever tried to locate with brass rods. He does this every day he works and with 100% accuracy. The village maintenance crew (3 of them) were all downers. When my friend double checked her cousins info, it was a TWINS grave we found ! They believe that this type of information is more useful for siting a well than how a stick, a wire, or a pendulum responds to an unknown force [3] [4]. Some of my kids can do it some cant. The man acting as "witch" held the branch by the fork ends with the point sticking straight out in front of him. kzks: Posted 1/27/2023 08:26 (#10062732 - in reply to #10062317) . The forked ends of the dowsing rods are clutched palms-down, and dowser slowly walks over . She found her own . Systems. He said he knew of those locations and there were others on my land. I do think you have got to have the gift, as everyone can`t do it. The well hit at 75 foot dept at 6 GPM. It is 65 feet deep, just at bedrock. Thats underground. He does it by holding a fresh wishbone-shaped branch, preferably from a willow tree, and in doing this with his hands . I was telling my buddy this and he disagreed, He told me 30 some years ago they were trying to find enough water for irrigation He ended having a well known well witcher from the area give it a try. The National Ground Water Association, in a position statement, "strongly opposes the use of water witches to locate groundwater on the grounds that controlled experimental evidence clearly indicates that the technique is totally without scientific merit" [2]. Cant explain it, and I dont care if anyone believes me, but I know what Ive experienced. I was stunned by my first success when the stick pointed straight down and pulled my hand with it. So, not necessary to have a Y shaped fruit wood stick. Yes he dosed and found and also claimed underground rivers! Dowsing can be done via many different tools, including but not limited to: two L-shaped copper rods, a willow branch, a pendulum or a weight tied to a string. Go try your rods on your house power line or gas line. I sit in a chair to steady myself while holding the large end about 6 inches from the ground. I use two L-shaped wires bent out of coat hangers. The one guy just carries a crow bar or other iron bar at his side as he walks and when it starts to move that indicates water. They just KNOW it works. Almanac Publishing Co. All Rights Reserved. When I was 7 we had a neighbor locate the buried water lines on a new farm. On some properties, there are very few options. If it starts again count the number of bobs. Water-witching, 1907. The wires did move/ cross. Each bob is supposed to indicate the depth to the water. "Dowsing," "water witching," "divining," and "doodlebugging" are all names for the practice of locating groundwater by walking the surface of a property while holding a forked stick, a pair of L-shaped rods, a pendulum, or another tool that responds when the person moves above a location that will yield an adequate flow of water to a drilled well (see Figure 1). Plant your weeping willow at least 50 feet away from main structures, pathways, or driveways. Would be grateful if youd share. Welding rods have more mass and are even slimmer. Instead, the water must move through very narrow fractures in the rock. It will go left and right when I get over a line. If I can teach 9 yr old to do it anyone can do it following this simple technique. Also taught somebbiy scouts how to do it. Thanks. Some people use hazel wood, but it doesnt grow where we live. Sure enough, the second stream really has good flow. Known as a water witch, waterwitch or dowser, Dad has been able to sense and track underground water sources for as long as he (and I) can remember. Ever wonder why there needs to be a pump at the bottom of a deep well. There are usually only two levels, because Ive located where they cross. I specialise in water mostly , dowsing Fri maps, finding water . They found an old hand dug tile. While the majority of dowsers search for water, some practitioners use this technique to find all sorts of things: gold, bombs, or even the missing remote control to theTV. Im about half of them the wire will start going down on them when they approach the vein. If they ever failed to find water (or pipes) no one talked about it. And don't fall for the people using welding rods, they work for water lines but not aquifers. >Thanks Marc Walk across slowly a couple times snd you too will be a believer, I had a friend show me how to douse for water. I hollered. Am David Mundia from Kenya I have been dowsing for water from 1999.I have done it for local farmers numerous times and never missed to locate water . It works! Some say that it helps if you concentrate on finding water as you walk. But if its only a few gallons per minute and the client wants more, you know there is a deeper layer. If you're ever near an old wagon train road try them out. I used wire for finding the lost graves. It was not as strong but felt good for a home supply. I drilled wells for 45 years. Image copyright iStockphoto / Monika Wisniewska. The welding rods locate water but dont tell you how much. Desperate farmer using a willow branch to locate a place to drill a new well. The bark is gray-black. Some buy me one some dont. Remain still after it stops bobbing and the stick will start to move side to side. Your dowsing rod should also be relatively flatno branches sticking out in odd directions. Some call it the gift. Others refer to it as dowsing, doodlebugging, or water witchingthe practice of locating water underground using a forked stick. I read about a technique using what was referred to as a bobbing stick to help determine the depth of to the water and then the depth of the vein of water. I also knew that the Soviet Army travelled with just 2 days fresh water supply, but several battalions of dowsers. Willow or apple was used to create the strongest 'pull' to the water. As a matter of fact I have met a witcher who proclaimed there was no water available. Whenever he went over an area that he had already tested having water the stick would forceably turn down, peeling bark off the stick in my hand and even making marks in my skin. They also know areas where locating an adequate water supply can be challenging. Not worth the risk!. Make Some Miso Noodle Soup With A Soft Egg! Also one of the local water companies uses dowsing rods to locate leaking water pipes. He started looking; found a spot and said, "There's water here.". He is pretty skeptical that I can find them with wires, and I was curious what Agtalk thought about it. A case in point was when a person tried to drill a well within 30 feet of the river that ran past their property. My boss called in a local witcher and within minutes stated we were a little over 20 from the site moved the rig drilled down around 30 as witcher stated and hit a great vein. I tested this on an existing well site and the numbers did not come out right and matching the well log as to the depth of water. It shows two workers using dowsing rods to locate subsurface ore minerals. He has located numerous water lines on my farm since I bought it when I wanted to install hydrants or cattle drinks. Serviced 4 inside taps, dishwasher and laundry as well as yard irrigation without ever running low. As the point went downward I tried to pull it up and the bark scratched the palms of my hands. I need help. He kept on looking and found another one that was perpendicular to the first. Thank you. Why does the weeping willow root system expand so widely? We are very hit and miss. I live in Western N.C.Haywood Co. My address is Clyde, which is between Waynesville and Asheville . Fascinating comment in my experience its conservatives who are far more willing to take things on faith or believe in things with no proof than most Dems or liberals. The blue line marks the subsurface location of the water table. With the copper piece at the end, I did it as a child and it absolutely works. At 20 to 30 feet from where the water comes to or near the grounds surface, by holding the wire (bent on a 90 degree angle) I get a magnetic attraction to the point of the start of the water vein. Now, it helps to know that, minutes earlier, I had shown him a map for the line's installation. n. the search for or discovery of underground water sources by means of a divining rod. Im located in the Fayetteville, TN area. People laugh at me but if the pipe has water in it ill find it. Source Collection. When the grateful rancher paid him, Lynn realized his services were valuable. They are simply uneducated on the matter. Keep your grasp somewhat loose and slowly walk around searching for water. He found every water and sewer line. For those outside Indiana, Purdue University produces engineers and top notch farmers. Lynn likes to use a green willow, but even a relatively dry one will work. In fact, when California was in the middle of their worst drought, they turned to local dowsers to uncover hidden sources of water. Fortunately, no matter where you stand on the dowsing debate, this is one bit of ancient wisdom that you can easily put to the test! He said you need to believe in it for it to work. I use wires but only one will move. If its a small willow and you are holding it really tight, it can actually take the bark off the willow where you are gripping it, he says. In Europe and northeastern US, it is known as dowsing. Others believe that the talent is all in the dowsing rod. I have a place in Pigeon Mi. It's a very strong response. That well driller didnt believe in water dowsing originally but now calls me whenever someone wants him to drill a well.. Witching for wells. Feller wanted me to come over and dig up his old well head. Reminds me of someone bending their finger. Dowse a spot and hit the numbers we need. I could actually feel the pull inside me. Yes, I can witch water. Im in Dillsburg, PA 17019. They drilled 100 feet and got 3 gallons per minute and went down another 100 feet and got 9 more gallons per minute. He was correct. Turn off water or electricity to start Would you know of any dowsers in the middle TN area? He was right every time. 3 of 8 4 of 8 Marc Mondavi, vice president of Charles Krug Winery and a water witch, holds his copper diving rods on Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 in St. Helena, Calif. Russell Yip/The Chronicle Show More . 100% of wolf cubs could do it after 30minutes training. By the way two rods are not necessary. I wanted to do some work and didn't want to hit it, so I got in touch and they sent out their pipe-finder technician guy. Love this kind of folklore. A neighbor was accomplished in this and thought I might be able to do it as well. The dowser walks through the field with the dowsing rod. He carried a 1" pipe about 4-5' long. Be clear with intention. Although some dowsers have a record of regularly producing good results, the United States Geological Survey reports that most geologists and hydrogeologists do not endorse the practice of dowsing [1]. However, according to Jim Rickords of Sonoma County, a fresh willow branch is the best tool to use due to it's natural "thirst" for water. Then he had water. On the spirtual side of this however Grandpa was descended from a Scotsman. They want to drill a successful well, close to their house, where the cost of installing water lines and an electrical conduit will be minimal and where a drilling rig can be easily driven. Feel free to contact me if anyone should want to talk about the subject. One old timer told me the force of the pull could be enough to rip the bark off the branch." . He had a neighbor come down and check it and he found the same spot and said there would be water at about 30-40 feet and plenty of it. I never had any trouble getting it to work by myself just picked up the Y shaped branch, held the 2 short ends tight like you described, and walked. Never works for me but it did for him. This is the tricky part; many experienced dowsers say that as you zero in on the water source, the dowsing rod will bend towards the earth quite sharply, which means youll need to tighten your grasp on the rod so that you dont drop it. There is something to that. Hazel twigs in Europe and witch-hazel in the United States are traditionally commonly chosen, as are branches from willow or peach trees. Perfect for watering our gardens. How 1) get rod I used coat hanger cut and bent into l shape. The well water was so hard that most people had trouble with it especially with washing clothes. A lot of people think that water divining is confined to rural areas, but that isn't true. Weeping willow trees have stout trunks with a broad, rounded crown. Found many underground veins with it. You can also use apple or peach branches for water dowsing. It scared my hubby, though, and he asked me not to do it again.apparently didnt want to be married to someone spooky. Tractor. 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Sticking out in odd directions and got 3 gallons per minute and went down another 100 feet and got gallons.