Title: State v. King
Citation: 321 P.2d 200, 63 N.M. 425
Docket Number: 6280
State: new-mexico
Issuer: new-mexico Supreme Court
Date: January 27, 1958

321 P.2d 200 (1958) 63 N.M. 425 STATE of New Mexico, on the relation of S.E. Reynolds, State Engineer, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. J.H. KING, Defendant-Appellant. No. 6280. Supreme Court of New Mexico. January 27, 1958. James M.H. Cullender, Roswell, for appellant. Fred M. Standley, Atty. Gen., Charles D. Harris, Sp. Asst. Atty. Gen., for appellee. COMPTON, Justice. The State, on relation of the State Engineer, brought this action to enjoin appellant from using water of the Roswell Underground Basin to irrigate approximately 100 acres of land owned by him. Following a hearing, the court enjoined the further use of the water by appellant and he appeals. The ultimate facts are so succinctly stated, we copy them in toto. Accordingly, the court concluded that appellant had acquired no right to use the water after it had reached the underground basin and entered a decree enjoining him from its further use for irrigation. The findings are not attacked, leaving questions of law only for determination. Appellant contends (a) that the surplus waters from the Hagerman Irrigation Canal upon entering his lake became his private waters, and (b) that he was entitled to utilize the underground basin as a storage for such private waters, less depreciation due to evaporation and seePage. The contentions cannot be sustained. As to the first question, we pause just long enough to say that the waters used by appellant were not being diverted from his lake. As to the latter question, it has no legislative sanction. We find no law permitting the storing of private waters in established underground water basins. When waters, either artificial surface waters or natural surface waters, reach an established underground water basin by percolation, seePage or otherwise, they become public waters as defined by § 75-11-1, 1953 Comp., which reads: The waters in controversy being public waters, the statutory manner of acquiring rights thereto is exclusive. State ex rel. Bliss v. Dority, 55 N.M. 12, 225 P.2d 1007. Appellant relies strongly on Hagerman Irr. Co. v. East Grand Plains Drainage Dist., 25 N.M. 649, 187 P. 555. The case lends no material assistance. There the court was dealing with surface waters. Relator cross-appealed, claiming abuse of discretion by the court in staying the injunction, pending appeal. We fail to see the merit of this contention. Relator had knowledge that appellant had been using the well for irrigation. Previously he had applied for a permit to continue pumping from the well, and no action had been taken on the application. Lands were being readied for irrigation; time for planting of crops was at hand. Under these circumstances, the court was warranted in assuming that relator had given his tacit approval. The court did not abuse its discretion. *202 The judgment should be affirmed and it is so ordered. LUJAN, C.J., and McGHEE, J., concur. SADLER and KIKER, JJ., not participating.