Parks Canal & Mining Co. v. Hoyt

McKinstry, J. For the purposes of this decision, it may be admitted that water acquired by appropriation (to be sold to miners and others), by means of a ditch leading from a natural stream, becomes, after it has passed into the ditch, the personal property of the appropriator. Further, it may be admitted, that if water be taken or diverted from the ditch, without the consent of the appropriator, he may waive the tort and bring an action for the value of the water taken. Nevertheless, although such appropriator may be entitled to the flow of the stream undiminished, the water in the stream above his ditch is not his personal property. The stream as yet flows in its natural course—a part of the realty. The appropriator certainly does not become the owner of the very body of the water until he has acquired control of it in conduits or reservoirs, created by art, or applied to the purpose of leading or storing water by artificial means. It follows, that he cannot maintain an action for the value of the water—as for personal property sold and delivered—against one who, without his consent, has diverted the stream above the mouth of his ditch. The evidence tended to prove that plaintiff was owner of a ditch dug for the purpose of conducting water from the Cossumnes River to Squaw Hollow Creek, and also of another ditch leading from Squaw Hollow Creek, at a point below the Cossumnes ditch. Defendant diverted water from Squaw Hollow Creek at a place between the two ditches. There was evidence, that, “ at the times the water was taken by the defendant, [47] there was not sufficient water in Squaw Hollow Creek to fill the Squaw Hollow Creek ditch.” But there was no evidence of the quantity of water then running from the Cossumnes ditch into Squaw Hollow Creek, or that any was flowing through that ditch. For aught that appears, all the water diverted by defendant was water naturally flowing in Squaw Hollow Creek. If this was the case, it is clear, from what has been said above, that an action for the value of the water, as personal property, cannot be maintained. The natural bed of Squaw Hollow Creek acquired the character of an artificial conduit to the extent, and only to the extent, that the waters of the Cossumnes River flowed through it. The water brought to Squaw Hollow Creek by the Cossumnes River ditch alone, if any water can be so considered, can be considered the personal property of the plaintiff. The defendant moved for a nonsuit, on the ground, amongst others, that “ the testimony utterly fails to show any contract, agreement, or promise by defendant to pay plaintiff for the alleged water.” If plaintiff relies upon the promise to pay reasonable value, which the law implies from the wrongful taking of personal property—the tort being waived—there is a complete failure to prove the facts from which the promise is implied (and therefore the promise itself), since the evidence fails to show that any personal property was taken. The view we have adopted renders it unnecessary to decide other questions presented. We may suggest, however, first, the answer does not distinctly deny that the plaintiff was organized as an association under the laws of Pennsylvania; and second, the complaint fails to allege that the laws of Pennsylvania gave to plaintiff the power to sue, or any other corporate power. Judgment and order affirmed. Morrison, C. J., and Ross, J., concurred.