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How to Find Underground Lakes and Rivers

Locating underground sources of water is a practice that remains mysterious, even with modern scientific methods. Historically, the practice of dowsing has been used to locate underground rivers and springs, but recent advances in technology, along with a greater understanding of how water behaves below the ground, have changed this practice. You can now approach finding underground water in a number of ways, both scientifically and through ancient methods.

Things You'll Need

Large drill
Dowsing/divining rod

Instructions

Scientific Methods
- 1
  Look for a spring nearby, and trace the source and direction of the water. Often a spring will flow toward an aquifer, which is a deposit of water located in an underground location. If you can locate a spring or creek that seems to suddenly vanish underground, there may be a source of underground water near that location.
- 2
  Drill a bore hole into the ground where you believe an aquifer may be located. This will require some professional equipment that will allow you to dig deeper than is possible with a commercial drill.
- 3
  Hire a professional well-digging company if you still cannot locate water. With their high-end professional equipment, they will be able to get further beneath the surface, where groundwater tends to settle into underground passages. They may also have access to a hydrologist, who can analyze rocks and plants to ascertain whether groundwater will be present at a given location.
Non-Scientific Methods
- 4
  Locate a water dowser to find groundwater on your property. The historical practice of dowsing is still in use in many parts of the world, and is traditionally practiced using a forked stick, known as a dowsing or divining rod.
- 5
  Dig where the dowser advises you to. There are many success stories of people who have followed the directions of a dowser to locate groundwater.
- 6
  Look up dowsing organizations online, such as the American Society of Dowsers (dowsers.org). Their website maintains a regional database of dowsers who can assist you in your search for underground water.

Nature