Opinion ID: 1794630
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: issue of rasmussen's negligence

Text: The flow of water cannot be interfered with to the detriment of the upper proprietor. Romshek v. Osantowski, 237 Neb. 426, 466 N.W.2d 482 (1991). In Nebraska, the principle is well established that it is the duty of those who build structures in a natural watercourse to provide for the passage through such obstruction of all waters which may reasonably be anticipated to flow or be carried therein, and this is a continuing duty. Wilson Concrete Co. v. County of Sarpy, 189 Neb. 312, 202 N.W.2d 597 (1972). In addition, it is the duty of one who constructs an artificial drain with structures therein changing the natural flow of surface water to use reasonable care to maintain it or them so that water will not be collected and thrown on another to his damage. Gable v. Pathfinder Irr. Dist., 159 Neb. 778, 68 N.W.2d 500 (1955), overruled on other grounds, Cover v. Platte Valley Public Power & Irr. Dist., 162 Neb. 146, 75 N.W.2d 661 (1956). Thus, as a downstream proprietor, Rasmussen cannot unreasonably interfere with the flow of water to the detriment of the upper proprietor Bristol. Considering the evidence most favorably to the prevailing party, Bristol, the uncontroverted testimony of Snodgrass was that in 1990, Rasmussen directed him to install a used culvert in the natural watercourse of Indian Creek, thus creating the obstruction Bristol claimed caused the flooding of his land. Moreover, there was no evidence that Rasmussen exercised due care to prevent injury to upstream landowners when he directed Snodgrass to install the culvert across Indian Creek. Therefore, we determine that the trial court was not clearly wrong in its finding that Rasmussen breached his duty as a downstream proprietor by negligently obstructing Indian Creek. The question then becomes whether Rasmussen's obstruction was the proximate cause of the damage to Bristol's unmatured soybeans. Bristol testified it was Rasmussen's obstruction which caused both the 1989 and 1990 flooding. In support of this claim, Bristol offered photographs and a videotape which clearly demonstrated that Rasmussen's obstruction did, in fact, create a ponding of the waters flowing into Indian Creek. Moreover, it was Bristol's unrefuted testimony that this ponding caused by Rasmussen's obstruction extended back to his property. In addition, Bristol testified that in 1989, immediate removal of the obstruction on Rasmussen's land across Indian Creek resulted in the draining away of the floodwaters from Bristol's land. The evidence clearly supports the conclusion that Rasmussen's obstruction across Indian Creek in 1990 was the proximate cause of the flooding on Bristol's land. Accordingly, the finding of the trial court that Rasmussen was negligent and his negligence was the proximate cause of the damages suffered by Bristol is likewise not clearly wrong. There is no merit to Rasmussen's cross-appeal.