85-7-1909. Rights-of-way for irrigation works. (1) The board of commissioners shall have the power to construct irrigation works across any stream of water, watercourse, street, avenue, highway, railway, canal, ditch, or flume which the route of said canal or canals may intersect or cross in such manner as to afford security to life and property. Said board shall restore the same, when so crossed or intersected, to its former state, as near as may be, so as not to destroy its usefulness. Every company whose railroad shall be intersected or crossed by said works shall unite with said board in forming said intersection and crossing, and if such railroad company or the owners and controllers of said property, thing, or franchise so to be crossed and said board cannot agree upon the amount to be paid therefor or the points or the manner of said crossing or intersections, the same shall be ascertained and determined in all respects as herein provided in respect to taking of land for public use.

(2) Nothing contained herein shall require the payment to the state or any subdivision thereof of any sum for the right to cross any public highway with any such works. The right-of-way is hereby given, dedicated, and set apart to locate, construct, and maintain said works over and through any of the lands which are now or hereafter may be the property of this state.