In the wild, these are the most visible sources of water. Clear, flowing water is your best bet because the movement prevents bacteria from growing fast.
This means that small streams should be your first priority. Rivers are fine, but larger ones frequently have a lot of pollution from upstream. Lakes and ponds are fine, but they are stagnant, which increases the possibility of bacteria. Untreated water from lakes and ponds are more risky than some other options, but are a good last resort.
So, how do you go about discovering these bodies of water? Make use of the senses. Standing completely still and listening carefully, you can be able to hear rushing water even though it is a long distance away.
Then use your eyes to look for animal tracks that might lead to water. Insect swarms, while irritating, are another indicator of nearby water. And, particularly in the mornings and evenings, following the flight path of birds can lead you to some much-needed water. In the desert, it is particularly important to observe animal behavior.
Animal tracks in the sand will be easier to find, and they will almost always lead to water. In dry areas, birds will migrate to water in particular.
You can also scout the area you’re in. Water flows downhill, so look for valleys, ditches, gullies, and so on. If you go to low ground, you’ll almost always come across water sources.
Very instructive! It’s fantastic to follow along and witness the strategy in action in the real world.
Wild grape vines cut open are also known contain significant water supplies when the vine is cut open. Also, should be sanitary without excessive biological critters.
I don’t know where you got your information clear water doesn’t have bacteria in it. Where I live in the Adirondack Mts. Is some of the clearest water you will find. But ask any true outdoorsman from the Adirondack Mts. If they would drink it with out boiling it and they will tell you no way. Only if they were about to die. You catch beaver fever and your troubles have just multiplied themselves. You start with diarrhea and then vomiting. Now your dead. Now I’ve taught some extreme survival situations and their is a way to beat beaver fever should you have to drink it unboiled or unpurified. If you start with diarrhea you can remove charcoal from an old fire pit. Grind it up as fine as you can and add a little water to it and drink it. The charcoal will act as a filter thus adding more time for survival. I did not see where you added finding a willow tree and cutting a hole in a large root. Willow trees suck up water extremely fast. You cut a hole in the base of the tree and You can then suck it out of the hole. A few minutes more and there will be more water in that hole. Suck it out again. Just about any large tree will do this but willows really suck up the water and passing through the tree roots it will be purified. Just a little ( food ) for thought.
Hi Bob, you might’ve misread the article. I stated in the article that clean water does not mean drinkable water and that clean water might have bacteria and viruses in it.