Kyle city employees were seen Monday afternoon witching for water lines, and marking the locations prior to constructing a new marquis at Old Kyle City Hall. The employees were using divining rods (a.k.a. water dowsing rods or witching rods). This method may seem a little archaic in these modern times, but the rods hit their mark right on. Ricky Cisneros (right) explains how the two copper rods they use can detect magnetic forces created by the flow of water beneath the earth. Joe Solansky of Capitol Monument Company also regularly uses dowsing rods for finding grave sites, and according to Solansky, “any time there is displacement of large amounts of dirt – a trench, ditch or grave – it creates a magnetic field that can last for centuries.” He says he uses brass rods for best results. When asked about the effectiveness of old-fashioned methods, like using a y-shaped tree branch, he said he can’t be certain. He’s not scientist, he said, but that’s how his dad used to do it.
