37-86-106. Shortest route must be taken.

Statute text

Whenever any persons find it necessary to convey water through the lands of others, they shall select for the line of such conveyance the shortest and most direct route practicable upon which said ditch can be constructed with uniform or nearly uniform grade.

History

Source: L. 1881: p. 164, 2. G.S. 1717. R.S. 08: 3171. C.L. 1627. CSA: C. 90, 10. CRS 53: 147-3-5. C.R.S. 1963: 148-3-5. L. 69: p. 1220, 8.

Annotations

 

ANNOTATION

Annotations

Law reviews. For article, "Revision of Water and Irrigation Statutes", see 31 Dicta 29 (1954). For note, "A Survey of Colorado Water Law", see 47 Den. L.J. 226 (1970).

A plaintiff is under an obligation to "select for the line of ditch through a defendant's property the shortest and most direct route practicable, upon which a ditch can be constructed with uniform or nearly uniform grade". Mott v. Coleman, 132 Colo. 306, 287 P.2d 655 (1955).

This section is no part of the eminent domain statute. Mulford v. Farmers' Reservoir & Irrigation Co., 62 Colo. 167, 161 P. 301 (1916).

The provisions of this section are not jurisdictional in proceedings to condemn a ditch right-of-way. Mulford v. Farmers' Reservoir & Irrigation Co., 62 Colo. 167, 161 P. 301 (1916).

The ditches under contemplation are such as only convey water to be used upon the land of the person constructing the ditch. Junction Creek & N. D. D. & I. Ditch Co. v. City of Durango, 21 Colo. 194, 40 P. 356 (1895).

The necessity contemplated in this section does not mean an absolute one, but only a reasonable necessity. United States v. O'Neill, 198 F. 677 (D. Colo. 1912).

The necessity intended is to convey water through the lands of another, not the necessity for taking a particular route. Sand Creek Lateral Irrigation Co. v. Davis, 17 Colo. 326, 29 P. 742 (1892); Mulford v. Farmers' Reservoir & Irrigation Co., 62 Colo. 167, 161 P. 301 (1916).

If the way sought for an irrigating ditch is not the shortest and most direct route practicable, the respondent should present the question in limine. Mulford v. Farmers' Reservoir & Irrigation Co., 62 Colo. 167, 161 P. 301 (1916).