re: #493 Lidane

Dowsing = using a forked wooden stick to look for underground water.

It was old wives’ nonsense 200 years ago. Now? It’s just magical woo-woo.

USGS:

Case histories and demonstrations of dowsers may seem convincing, but when dowsing is exposed to scientific examination, it presents a very different picture. The natural explanation of “successful” water dowsing is that in many areas underground water is so prevalent close to the land surface that it would be hard to drill a well and not find water. In a region of adequate rainfall and favorable geology, it is difficult not to drill and find water!

Some water exists under the Earth’s surface almost everywhere. This explains why many dowsers appear to be successful. To locate groundwater accurately, however, as to depth, quantity, and quality, a number of techniques must be used . Hydrologic, geologic, and geophysical knowledge is needed to determine the depths and extent of the different water-bearing strata and the quantity and quality of water found in each . The area must be thoroughly tested and studied to determine these facts.

In other words, dowsers are peddling BS since there’s water practically everywhere underground, so it’s not a stretch to find it wherever you dig (how far you have to dig is another issue entirely).