Case Name: BASTIAN v. NEBEKER et al.
Court: Utah Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Utah
Decision Date: 1916-12-27
Citations: 49 Utah 390
Docket Number: No. 2898
Parties: BASTIAN v. NEBEKER et al.
Judges: STRAUP, C. J., concurs.
Reporter: Utah Reports
Volume: 49
Pages: 390–404

Head Matter:
BASTIAN v. NEBEKER et al.
No. 2898.
Decided Dec. 27, 1916.
On petition for rehearing March 29, 1917.
(163 Pac. 1092.)
1. Waters and Water Courses — Suit to Quiet Title — Burden oe Proof — Developed Water. Where a party goes upon a stream at or near its source, the waters of which have been appropriated, and are being used for beneficial purposes, and intercepts a subterranean flow or body of water and diverts any substantial flow therefrom which he claims to be developed water, the burden is upon him to show by satisfactory proof that the water so intercepted and diverted is “developed water”; and where it is shown that the water is drawn from the same underground flow or body of water that wholly or partially feeds and supplies the springs from which the prior appropriator obtains his water, the subsequent appropriator claiming developed water must show by clear, positive, and convincing evidence that the water claimed by him is developed water. (Page 399.) ,
2. Waters and Water Courses — Evidence—Sufficiency. In a proceeding to determine water rights for irrigation purposes, evidence held, not to sustain a finding that 845 per cent, of the water flowing from well of subsequent appropriator was developed water. (Page 399.)
3. Waters and Water Courses — Cost—Measure op Water. As the burden of proof is on plaintiff subsequent appropriator to show by clear and convincing evidence that the water claimed by him is developed water, he must bear the entire expense of measurement and tests of such water. (Page 400.)
4. Water and Water Courses — Seepage Water. The prior appropriators were entitled to a decree awarding them a substantial flow of seepage water which was tributary to the main stream to which they had the right to the entire flow, and which is intercepted and carried to subsequent appropriator’s reservoir by a ditch. (Page 400.)
5. Waters and Water Courses — Irrigation—Evidence—Presumption. As it appeared that the subsequent appropriator intended to convey water from his reservoir to a point several miles from the prior appropriator’s land, it will be presumed that no substantial amount conveyed from subsequent appropriator’s wells to the reservoir will find its way into the natural water channel belonging to prior appropriators, and hence that no part of the water can be reclaimed by prior appropriator after its use by the subsequent appropriator. (Page 400.)
6. Waters and Water Courses — Evidence—Sufficiency. Evidence held not to sustain a finding that the storing of water in plaintiff subsequent appropriator’s reservoir did not render any water .Owned by the prior appropriators impure and unwholesome or unfit for culinary use. (Page 400.)
7. Waters and Water Courses — Seepage Water. If there are springs and seeps of water arising in the bed of the subsequent appropriator’s reservoir, which would flow into a natural channel belonging to the prior appropriators in any substantial amount, it should be awarded to the prior appropriators. (Page 402.)
On Petition for Rehearing.
8. Costs — Appeal—Expense op Printing Brief. Where appellant incorporated into the brief a large portion of the printed abstract, the respondent will not be required to pay the cost of printing such matter in the brief which is also contained in the abstract. (Page 404.)
Appeal from District Court, Sixth District; Hon. F. C. Loofbourow, Judge.
Action by Gearson S. Bastían against George W. Nebeker, and another.
Judgment for plaintiff. Defendants appeal.
REVERSED and remanded with directions.
Richards, Hart & Van Dam, John F. Chidester and F. K. Nebeker for appellants.
Thurman, Wedgwood & Irvine and E. E. Hoffman for respondent.
STATEMENT OF FACTS.
The facts in this case are about as follows: In the year 1870 George W. Nebeker, one of the defendants, located upon and acquired a “squatter’s right” to a piece of meadow land of about twenty acres, known as King’s Meadows, and situate in what is known as King’s Meadows canyon, in Sevier County, Utah. This canyon extends from the base of a range of hills or mountains contiguous to, and on the east side of, Sevier Valley, in a southeasterly direction to the divide or summit of the hills, a distance of about seventeen miles. In 1877 he went upon and made a pre-emption entry to 160 acres of arid land located in King’s Meadows canyon below and about one and one-half miles northerly from King’s Meadows. Later he changed his pre-emption to a homestead entry. Immediately after locating upon the land he commenced clearing and breaking it up and raising crops thereon. The acreage of tilled land was gradually increased from year to year until in 1911, when he had under cultivation about 150 acres, all of which required irrigation in order to produce crops. In the meantime George W. Nebeker, Jr., his son, acquired an interest in the ranch and the water rights appurtenant thereto. Mr. Nebeker, immediately on taking possession of the land covered by the homestead, diverted thereon all of the water flowing in King’s Meadows canyon that was not lost by seepage and evaporation before it reached that point, and continuously and uninterruptedly for many years thereafter used it for irrigating his land and for culinary purposes. The evidence shows that King’s Meadows canyon is dry and barren, and has less vegetátion than most of the canyons in Utah. The only water obtainable in the canyon for irrigation, domestic, and culinary purposes is the water that rises on King’s Meadows and a small stream at what is known as the Willow Patch about four miles above the meadows. The water channel in the canyon passes through the meadows in a northerly direction. About fifteen acres of the meadows are on the east, and a small portion of them on the-west side of the channel. There are about thirty springs, and numerous seeps, on the meadows. When not diverted or otherwise interfered with the water from these springs and seeps flows into the main channel and down the canyon to the Nebeker homestead.
In March, 1900, a decree was entered in the district court of-Seyier County in a suit in which George W. Nebeker et al; were plaintiffs and Andreas Anderson (plaintiffs’ predecessor in interest, then owner of King’s Meadows) was defendant, wherein'fifteen-sixteenths of all the water of King’s Meadows creek and its tributaries was awarded to Nebeker and his co-plaintiff, and one-sixteenth to Anderson. The decree in that case also gave the plaintiff therein one-third of the waters arising above the south boundary of the King’s Meadows ranch until the 15th day of «Tune of each year. This water comes from the Willow Patch mentioned, which, as stated,is about four miles up King’s Meadows canyon south from the meadows. After the entry of the decree in that • suit Nebeker exchanged his one-third interest in the waters flowing from the Willow Patch for Anderson’s one-sixteenth interest in the waters arising on and flowing from the meadows, the waste water flowing from the irrigated land of King’s-Meadows and the overflow or surplus water from a reservoir which Anderson at the time was -preparing to construct and: later on did construct at or near the Willow Patch. During the year 1909, and early part of 1910, Ephraim and Ole Dastrup, two of plaintiff’s predecessors interest, constructed eleven flowing wells on the King’s Meadows within the zone or area of the springs and seeps mentioned. In August, 1910, G. S. Bastían, plaintiff herein, acquired title to the King’s Meadows and all water rights appurtenant thereto. Soon after taking possession of the property Bastían drove four additional flowing wells thereon, making fifteen flowing wells on the meadows. The depth of these wells vary from about 85 to 260 feet, and most of them are in close proximity- to the springs and seeps referred to which supply the Nebeker ranch with water. The temperature of the water flowing from the wells and the water issuing from the springs is substantially the same. In some eases it is identical. When the wells are unplugged for a few days some of the seeps and at least one spring go dry. Bastían, after he obtained title to King’s Meadows, constructed a reservoir in King’s Meadows canyon near the north boundary of his land and a considerable distance from and south of the Nebeker ranch.. He also constructed a ditch, referred to in the bill of exceptions as the “drain ditch.” This ditch is on the west side of and in close proximity to the natural water channel where the same passes through King’s Meadows. This drain ditch, the bottom of which is not as low as the bed of the natural water channel, carried the water from the wells and the seepage water that was intercepted in the course of its construction to plaintiff’s reservoir located between the meadows and the Nebeker ranch. The water flowing from the springs at King’s Meadows to the Nebeker ranch is not permitted to mingle with the water impounded in the reservoir, but is conveyed past the reservoir in a pipe line and returned to the natural channel below the reservoir dam. Soon after the wells were constructed in 1910, Nebeker complained to the Dastrups that the wells interfered with and reduced the flow of water from the springs and seeps on King’s Meadows to such an extent as to appreciably diminish the size of the stream flowing to his ranch. We here remark that the evidence, without conflict, shows that this stream of water, when not diverted or otherwise interfered with before it reaches the Nebeker ranch, is not more than sufficient to supply the ranch with water for irrigation, culinary, and domestic purposes. The Dastrups had a weir constructed in the channel north of where the spring and seepage water is collected in a body after it leaves King’s Meadows and the stream measured by a Mr. Louis Jones, who, the record shows, had had much experience in measuring streams of water by the weir formula of measuring water. Jones testified that he measured the water where it passed over the weir in July, 1910, April 6 and May 25, 1911, and April 14 and May 30, 1912; that the flow of water varied from .29 to .30 second foot. He also testified that on May 25, 1911, be measured tbe water from tbe wells and springs, and that tbe combined flow was .75 second foot; that on May 20,1912, be again measured tbe water from tbe wells, and that tbe entire flow was .48 second foot; that on tbe same day (May 20th), the flow from tbe springs was .25 second foot. Marks were made on tbe weir so as to indicate tbe extent of tbe decrease, if any, in tbe flow of tbe water from tbe springs when tbe wells were uncapped and permitted to flow their full capacity, and tbe amount of tbe flow when tbe wells were plugged. These tests and the measurements did not settle, nor tend to settle, tbe controversy respecting tbe effect, if any, tbe driving of tbe wells bad on tbe flow of Water from tbe springs. Tbe Nebekers' claimed that by permitting tbe wells to flow and impounding tbe water therefrom in tbe reservoir mentioned reduced the flow from tbe springs about one-fourtb.
On July 2, 1912, Bastían commenced this action to restrain tbe Nebekers from interfering with and diverting tbe water from tbe flowing wells, and thereby preventing the same from flowing into bis reservoir. He alleges in bis complaint that tbe water from tbe wells is developed water, and that be intends to impound and store it “particularly during tbe early spring so as to enable the plaintiff to use tbe same later in tbe irrigation season on orchard and other lands owned by plaintiff in and around tbe town of Sigurd, which lands are situate about five miles down tbe canyon from said land on which said water is developed by means of tbe flowing wells,” and be prays that be be adjudged to be tbe owner of tbe water from tbe wells, and that his title to it be quieted. Defendants in their answer deny that tbe well water is developed water; deny that tbe plaintiff is tbe owner or entitled to tbe use of any part of it. As an affirmative defense and counterclaim defendants allege that they are the owners of tbe water arising on King’s Meadows, regardless of whether such water arises from tbe springs and seeps or flows from tbe wells thereon; that King’s Meadows is an artesian basin, and “that tbe springs and seeps, which for tbe most part supply these defendants with water, are located all over a natural meadow or swamp in said basin formed, created and main tained by the pressure of water from the higher lands and from underneath the surface thereof; * * * that, a diversion of water from one part of the basin is practically a diversion from the whole and draws on the common supply therein.” Other issues presented by defendants' affirmative defense and counterclaim are whether the plaintiff, in the construction of a reservoir, covered up certain springs or seeps of water belonging to the defendants and intercepted water from other springs, and also whether the construction of said reservoir adjacent to a salt bed did not befoul and cause to be impure and salty water used below by the defendants for culinary and domestic purposes, and also whether the construction of a certain drain ditch by the plaintiff did not intercept and drain spring water and water from seeps and oozes belonging to the defendant. "
There is, as is usually the case in this class of actions, a conflict in the evidence on the principal points involved. The court found that the wells driven by plaintiff and his predecessors in interest “have developed water which had theretofore been unappropriated by any person or persons whomsoever, and which had theretofore not found its way to the surface; that plaintiff stored and intended to continue to store said waters so developed in said reservoir before mentioned for the purpose of irrigating said orchard lands or other lands belonging to the plaintiff; that the driving of said wells and storing of water thereof in said reservoir did not render any waters owned by the defendants impure or unwholesome or unfit for culinary use; that the quantity of water developed by the plaintiff and his predecessors in interest by said flowing wells, and which water theretofore had not been appropriated, is 84J per cent, of all the water flowing from said wells, the remaining 15-§ per cent, of the waters flowing ■therefrom being the quantity that said springs have lost by reason of the driving of said wells; that the construction of the reservoir in which said water was to be stored by plaintiff did not destroy any of the springs or seepages belonging to the defendants, and defendants were not damaged by the building of the said reservoir by the plaintiff.”
A decree in conformity with and responsive to tbe findings was duly entered. Defendants appeal.
Mountain Lake Min. Co. v. Midway Irr. Co., 47 Utah 346, 149 Pac. 929.

Opinion:
McCARTY, J.
(after stating tbe facts as above).
TJje first question presented by the appeal is, Did the court err in its findings of fact wherein it held that 84-J per cent, of the water flowing from the wells is developed water that did not, before the wells were constructed, come to the surface of the earth through the orifices and subterranean channels from which issues and flows the spring and seepage water of King's Meadows?
The court, in effect, found, and there is an abundance of evidence to support the finding, that the waters from the wells and the normal flow of the springs and seeps came from the same source and are supplied by the same underground reservoir or body of water. In fact no other conclusion is permissible from the evidence, considered, as it must be, in its entirety. Counsel for respondent concede this. In their printed brief they say:
' ' There is no question made by us, # but what the operation of the wells did interfere with the water of some of the springs to the extent of taking therefrom a small percentage of the water."
The court, before the trial was concluded, suspended proceedings and made an order that:
' ' The water in dispute be measured on the 21st day of June, 1912, and that immediately after such measurements that the wells be plugged so as to prevent any waters flowing therefrom; that five days later, to wit, June 26th, the waters flowing in said basin be measured; that on July 1, 1912, the waters flowing from said basin be again measured, and immediately after such measurement that the wells be turned loose so that the water may flow therefrom; that on July 11, 1912, the waters from the wells and springs be measured separately; that on July 21, 1912, the said waters flowing from said wells and springs be measured separately, and that the wells be then plugged so as to prevent any water from flowing therefrom; that said measurements be continued each and every month thereafter in the same manner until final trial of this cause.' '
The court appointed J. Oscar Anderson, a civil engineer, "as the agent of the court to make such measurements." Anderson, in pursuance of the order, made measurements as therein directed to and including July 1, 1912, and thereafter made measurements every ten days, instead of every five days, to and including January 21, 1913. The flow of the water from the spring, as shown by the several measure^ merits, also the flow from the wells when unplugged, was as follows:
Well Spring
Water. Water.
June 21 (wells unplugged).453 .263
June 26 (wells plugged). .336
July 1 (wells plugged). .336
July 11 .440 .263
July 21 (wells plugged).. .338
August 1 .438 .263
August 11 (wells plugged). .335
August 21 .438 .249
Sept. 1 (wells plugged).•. .365
Sept. 11 .439 .293
Sept. 21 (wells plugged). .352
Oct. 1 .540 .30
Oct. 11 (wells plugged). .364
Oct. 21 .452 .293
Nov. 1 (wells plugged). .388
Nov. 11 .439 .291
Nov. 21 (wells plugged). • .365
Jan. 1 (wells plugged). .394
Jan. 21 .'... .452 .313
The decimals indicate fractions of a second foot.
The result of the measurements made by Anderson in pursuance of the court's order shows that when the wells are permitted to flow continuously for a period of ten days only, there is a substantial reduction in the flow of water from the springs. To what extent a continuous and uninterrupted flow from the wells would affect the springs in the course of a few months or a year is a matter of conjecture only.
It is settled law in this jurisdiction that where a party goes upon a stream at or near its source, the waters of which have been appropriated, and are being nsed by others for beneficial purposes, and intercepts or taps a subterranean flow or body of water and diverts any substantial flow therefrom which he claims to be developed water, the burden is upon him to show by satisfactory proof that the water so intercepted and diverted is "developed water." Mountain Lake Min. Co. v. Midway Irr. Co., 47 Utah 346, 149 Pac. 929. And where, as in the case at bar, it is shown by indisputable evidence that the water claimed to be developed water is drawn from the same underground flow or body of water that wholly or partially feeds and supplies the springs from which the prior appropriator obtains his water, the subsequent appropriator, the party claiming to have developed water, should be required to show by clear, positive, and convincing evidence, that the water claimed by him is developed water. Mountain Lake Min. Co. v. Midway Irr. Co., supra, and cases there cited.
The evidence in this case, as the record now stands, regarding the effect that a continuous and uninterrupted flow of the wells would eventually have upon the flow of water from the springs is, as stated, a matter for conjecture and theory only. The plaintiff, therefore, did not support his claim that 84 7/8 per cent, of the water flowing .from the wells is, as found by the court, developed water, by that quantum of evidence required in eases of this kind. The proof on this pont, as the record now stands, furnishes as sound a basis for concluding that a continuous, unimpeded flow of water from the wells, for a considerable period of time, would materially reduce the flow of the springs below, the lowest point shown by the measurements made by Anderson, if it did not entirely dry up the springs, as it does for concluding that it would not reduce the flow of the spring water below what it was when the measurements were made. The court therefore erred in making the finding of fact last referred to.
The trial court, by appointing some person, familiar with the rules for measuring water, to measure the water flowing from the spring and seeps at intervals for a reasonable length of time while the wells are plugged and then make measurements at intervals for a considerable length of time when the wells are flowing at their full capacity, ought to be able to determine approximately the amount of developed water, if any, that flows from the wells. Should the trial court on retrying the ease make an order that further •measurements and tests be made to determine the amount of developed water, if any, produced by the wells, the entire expense of such measurements and tests shoulá be borne by the plaintiff, because, as stated, the burden is on him to show by clear and convincing evidence that the water claimed by him is developed water.
The evidence shows that plaintiff's trench or drain ditch situated just west of and in close proximity to the natural water channel where the same passes through King's Meadow intercepts and carries to plaintiff's reservoir a substantial flow of seepage water. This seepage water is tributary to the main stream used by the Nebekers, and the court erred in not awarding and decreeing it to them.
The evidence further shows, in fact it is conceded, that no part of the seepage water intercepted by the drain ditch, nor any portion of the water flowing from the wells to the reservoir, is used or is intended for use on lands within the King's Meadows basin. Nor is it used or intended for use upon any land in or bordering on King's Meadows canyon, but-, as alleged by plaintiff in his complaint, it is his intention to convey the water from the reservoir to and on lands in and around Sigurd in Sevier Valley, several miles north of defendant's lands. Therefore the presumption may be indulged that no substantial amount of the water conveyed from the wells to the reservoir will find its way into the natural water channel at any point or points above the Nebeker ranch; hence no part of this water can be reclaimed by the Nebekers after its use by the plaintiff.
The evidence practically without conflict shows that the bed of the reservoir located a short distance north of King's,Meadows is adjacent to a salt bed, and that when wated is impounded in the reservoir it partially submerges tbe salt bed. While there is an apparent conflict in the evidence as to whether the water in the reservoir becomes befouled and unfit for culinary and domestic purposes, the greater weight of the evidence, nevertheless, tends to show that this water, because of the salt and mineral substances with which it comes in contact, is rendered unfit for culinary and domestic purposes, and that sufficient of the seepage and percolating water from the reservoir flows directly into the natural water channel and thence into the stream used by the Nebekers to render it unfit for culinary and domestic purposes. The evidence without conflict shows that the Nebekers, because of the unpotable state of the water flowing to their ranch, have been compelled to haul water for culinary and domestic purposes from a point above the reservoir dam. The court therefore erred in its findings of fact, wherein it is held that:
"The storing of water in said reservoir did not render any water owned by the defendants impure and unwholesome or unfit for culinary use. ' '
The findings of fact and conclusions of law were made and judgment rendered September 4, 1914. On January 2, 1915, defendants duly served and filed notice of motion to move for a new trial. One of the grounds stated in the motion is, "Newly discovered evidence material for defendants which they could not with reasonable diligence have discovered and produced at the trial. ' ' In support of the motion defendants filed affidavits in which, among other things, it was recited:
"That since the taking of testimony in this case upon the former trial at Richfield, said county and state, the reservoir belonging to said plaintiff which, during the said trial and for many months prior thereto was covered with water, broke and the water was drained from said reservoir exposing the bed thereof to view, and disclosed the fact that there were springs and seeps in the said reservoir bed, as contended by said defendants at the said trial. ' '
No counter affidavit was filed by respondent.
Should it develop upon the taking of further evidence that there are springs and seeps of water arising in the bed of the reservoir that find their way into the natural water channel, this water, if flowing in any substantial amount, should be awarded and decreed to the Nebekers as tributary to the main stream appropriated and used by them.
The cause is remanded, with directions to the trial court to reopen the case and take further evidence along the lines herein suggested, and to make findings of fact and conclusions of law defining the rights of the respective parties to the waters flowing from the wells, and enter a decree in harmony with and responsive to such findings of fact and conclusions of law, and to incorporate into the decree provisions in accordance with the views herein expressed respecting the seepage water intercepted and collected by plaintiff's drain ditch, and the spring and seepage water, if any is shown to exist, arising in the bed of the reservoir. The trial court is further directed that unless plaintiff devises and adopts some means of preventing the befouled reservoir water from seeping, percolating, and finding its way into the stream used by the Nebekers, or furnishes them at their ranch sufficient potable water without expense to them for culinary and domestic purposes, to incorporate into the decree a provision perpetually restraining plaintiff from rebuilding and maintaining the reservoir.
Appellants to recover their, taxable costs on this appeal.
STRAUP, C. J., concurs.