Does ‘water dowsing’ or ‘water witching’ actually work?

Ever wonder how folks located underground water back in the day? They used the not-so-scientific method of water dowsing (a.k.a. water witching): using a Y-shaped rod or stick to divine the presence of groundwater. Originating in medieval Europe, dowsing was a form of magic and intuition used to detect not only water but gold, oil, and other natural resources.

Whether or not you believe in its powers, some say it yields results. A dowser will extend their device in front of them and survey an area until an invisible force pulls it down. Wherever the device points is the ideal spot to dig for water.

Scientists believe that there’s no real merit to dowsing and claim dowsers find water by luck—there are underground aquifers all over the world. They attribute the movement of a dowsing rod to subconscious movements made by the dowser, similar to how people using a Ouija board swear the planchette is moving on its own. Conclusion? If you plan to drill a well, you should probably hire an expert. Leave the sticks in the Middle Ages.