Eastern Oregon Live Stock Co. v. Keller
Eastern Oregon Live Stock Co. v. Keller
Opinion of the Court
The testimony supports the finding of the trial court to the effect that the use by the defendants of the water upon their lands did not injure plaintiff or interfere with its rights.
The plaintiff assigns that the court erred in not finding that the plaintiff is entitled to the use of the waters claimed by defendants, and not decreeing plaintiff a prior right to such use.
Whenever a suit is instituted for an injunction to restrain the use of water, and issues are raised in regard to the relative priority of the rights of parties to the use of waters of a certain stream, the court should in all cases where possible definitely determine the rights of the respective parties and the dates of their appropriation: See Hough v. Porter, 51 Or. 318 (95 Pac. 732); Foster v. Foster, post, p. 355 (213 Pac. 895). Especially should this rule be applied since the water board of the State of Oregon has ceased to function, except by the state engineer, who will probably be unable to adjudicate many of the water rights in the state.
However, in this suit there is a general statement on the part of plaintiff in regard to its„ appropriation made by its predecessors in 1890 (which is not questioned by the defendants), and also that all of the waters of Krumbo Creek to which Dry Krumbo, or Little Krumbo, is tributary, are necessary for the irrigation of plaintiff’s land. The number of acres cultivated is not given. The amount of the
The testimony shows that defendants use the water early in the season of the year before the plaintiff commences to irrigate to any considerable extent. The water used by defendants is a kind of surface water, and is not taken from any regular stream.
It appears the surveyor for the plaintiff went to the ditch of defendant, about a mile from its head, and as it was in the water shed of the Little Krmnbo, he evidently concluded that the ditch was taken out of that creek. Hence this suit. The testimony does not show that the defendants constructed a ditch on plaintiff’s land as alleged in the complaint.
The decree of the lower court is affirmed.
Aeeirmed.
Mr. Justice Rand took no part in the consideration of this case.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- EASTERN OREGON LIVE STOCK CO. v. KELLER
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published