Now I have to add my two cents worth. Dowsing rods do work. That is, for some unexplained reason they will cross over themselves. I've been in the excavating business most of my life and have used dowsing rods many times. They do detect something. At times. They are not infallible. They will tell you lies. And if someone tells you he knows what is down in the ground from the action of the rods, he's lying. I have located plastic, copper, clay and iron pipes. Telephone, electric. gas, water and sewer lines. But the rods won't tell you what it is or how deep. And there are times when they cross as if there is something buried and nothing is ever found. Do not trust them, but only use them as a guide to a possibility there is something buried. Over the 40 years I've used them I have pondered why this action of the rods happens. I have used rods made from steel, coat hangers, baling wire and bronze welding rod, even the little flags the utility companies use to mark the location of their services, etc. Anything works it appears. The only answer I can come up with is the earth is a large magnetic ball. Whenever we disturb a few feet of the surface of the earth we disturb the magnetic path of the skin of the old globe. At this disruption of the earths skin by excavation, the magnetic pull is disturbed and this causes the rods to cross themselves and when you pass by the disruption they will again align themselves parallel to each other. Go grab a couple of metal coat hangers, cut off the hooked part, length is not important. Straighten the hanger out as best as you can. About 6-8 inches from one end, bend the hanger to form a 90 degree angle. Lightly grasp the short part of the bent hanger in a closed fist, one in each hand. Don't grip it tight, just enough to keep from dropping it. Now, with your arms placed at your side to help stabilize your arms, balance the rod in your hands so that the long portion of the hanger points away from your body and are parallel to each other. This takes some juggling of your arms and hands and wrists. Somewhere that you know there is a buried utility line, as mentioned above, walk slow, steadily and smoothly, keeping. the rods parallel and horizontal, and cross the buried object perpendicular to the direction of the ditch. The rods should cross when you pass over the ditch and should return to parallel after you pass by the ditch. Most of you have water and sewer lines entering the front or rear of your home. Give it a try. Larry