A dipole probe (DP) for measuring vertical variations of hydraulic conductivity has been designed, constructed, and tested in field conditions. The variable‐length device designed for the dipole flow test (DFT) consists of three packers separated by changeable spacer rods. The assembled DP is lowered into a well with a long screened interval. The packers are inflated, isolating two screened sections (chambers) between them. A small submersible pump, mounted on the central packer, transfers water from the upper (extraction) chamber into the lower (injection) chamber. This simultaneous injection and extraction creates a recirculatory flow within the aquifer. The chamber head responses are measured by two pressure transducers in the DP chambers. The DP can be used at discrete intervals along the entire well screen length. The DP has been successfully tested in a specially constructed well with a continuous screen in a highly conductive sand and gravel aquifer. During drilling, disturbed samples were collected using the split spoon method and the vertical profile of K was estimated from grain‐size analysis. A total of 153 DFTs were performed with various DP geometries. Results indicate that the chamber head changes are sensitive to aquifer properties, reach steady state rapidly, vary linearly with redrculation pumping rate, and can be controlled by changes in DP dimensions. Vertical profiles of K compare well with grain‐size analysis estimates.