Document: 331 U.S. 745 67 S.Ct. 1382 91 L.Ed. 1789 UNITED STATESv.DICKINSON. SAME v. WITHROW. Nos. 77 and 78. Argued Dec. 13, 1946. Decided June 16, 1947. Mr. Ralph S. Boyd, of Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Ernest K. James, Charleston, W. Va., respondents. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion Court. 1 These are two suits brought under Tucker Act, Judicial Code, § 24(20), 28 U.S.C. 41(20), U.S.C.A. to recover value property claimed have been taken by Government. The were consolidated purposes trial though they present minor differentiating factors may here, as below, be disposed a single opinion. 2 In order imrpove navigability Kanawha River, West Virginia, Congress authorized construction Winfield Dam, South Charleston. Act August 30, 1935, 49 Stat. 1028, 1035, in connection with H.Doc.No.31, 73d Cong., 1st Sess., pp. 2-4. water above dam was impounded create deeper channel raise river pool level that area. Notice proposed elevation given abutting landowners on July 1, 1936, completed officially accepted United States 20, 1937. raised successive stages from 554.65 feet 566 sea level. That not reached until September 22, 1938. As result raising land belonging respondents permanently flooded. addition, erosion attributable improvement damaged which formed new bank pool. 3 Respondents recovered judgment an easement flood them. Damages also awarded erosion, based cost protective measures might prevent loss. court found had acquired intermittent flooding part defendants, allowed such easement. Circuit Court Appeals affirmed District Court's judgment. 4 Cir., 152 F.2d 865. We granted certiorari, 328 828, 66 1023, 90 1606, because important questions relevant determination just compensation taking private First. principal attack against judgments is both actions outlawed. applicable statute limitations six years. complaints filed April 1943. Government argues began run October 21, when impound water. any event, it maintains years later than May 1937, fully capable operation, its former level, patially sub merged first time. While latter view time statute, Dickinson's claim would barred he after date. 5 could, course, appropriate proceedings, condemn early chose, flowage easements. By proceedings could fixed 'taken.' chose do so. It left physical events, thereby putting owner onus determining decisive moment process acquisition fact no longer controversy. either claims 'founded upon Constitution States' or arising implied contracts (See discussion jurisdiction concurring Lynah, 188 445, 23 349, 47 539, Temple States, 248 121, 39 56, 63 162.) But whether theory these there Fifth Amendment, therefore invoked founded Constitution, promise pay it, immaterial. traces back prohibition 'nor shall public use, without compensation.' 'intended preserve practical substantial rights, maintain theories.' Davis Mills, 194 451, 457, 24 692, 695, 48 1067. One most theory-ridden legal concepts 'cause action.' This has recognized 'shifting meanings' danger rights definitions 'a cause action' unrelated function concept serves particular situation. Memphis Cotton Oil Co., 288 62, et seq., 53 278, 280, 619. 6 Property constitutional sense inroads made owner's use extent that, between parties, servitude agreement course Amendment expresses principle fairness technical rule procedure enshrining old niceties regarding 'causes action'—when born, proliferate, die. now called decide situation like this landowner bring suit soon inundation threatens. Assuming action sustained, good enough reason why must sue then have, moment, him. If brought, lest jeopardize his invaded, other contingencies running him—for instance, uncertainty damage risk res judicata recovering yet uncertain. source entire claim—the overflow due rises river—is event; continuous. And nothing reason, so doctrine, preclude law meeting postponing becomes stabilized. An flooded unnaturally postpone bringing consequences manifested themselves final account struck. 7 When dealing problem arises diverse circumstances procedural rigidities should avoided. All we here holding chooses but about continuing required resort piecemeal premature litigation asertain what really Accordingly, find basis complete prior 1943, nor at preceding ownership. conclusion fortified lower courts same all matter law. 8 Nothing heretofore ruled runs counter said. finds comfort Portsmouth Harbor Land & Hotel Co. 260 327, 43 135, 287. case gun battery into permanent position converting area, purposes, artillery range, inevitably took over guns fired. issue respect before us, all. 9 Second. challenges erosion. regards consequential, borne right compensation. Peabody 231 530, 34 159, 160, 58 351. Of payment need only taken, takes pay. flooding, floods well washes away flooding. mere needs physically appropriates up river, does determine nature taken. cannot take acreage wants washing more, more taking. falls aspects frequently thus put Bauman Ross, 167 548, 574, 17 966, 976, 42 270: 'when parcel highway, sole measure damages paid owner; incidental injury benefit considered. shape condition itself less before, entitled additional account.' So, also, Welch, 217 333, 30 527, 54 787, L.R.A.,N.S., 385, 19 Ann.Cas. 680; Grizzard, 219 180, 31 162, 55 165, 1135. Compare Sharp 191 341, 355, 114, 118, 211; Campbell 266 368, 45 115, 69 328. assessed 'for taken.' See 18, 1918, 40 911, 33 595, 595. resulting which, matter, constituted preventable prudent measures, prevention proper damage, below held. 10 Third. At considerable expense, consent War Department, Dickinson reclaimed originally disentitled him original properly rejected defense. became river. reclamation, appropriated belonged States. Whether Department legally authorize reclamation trespass however innocent, us. subsequently eforts chan ged obligation arose. 11 Fourth. Judgment easements assessed. record justify our setting aside concurrent findings courts. O'Donnell, 303 501, 508, 708, 713, 82 980; Allen Trust Georgia, 326 630, 636, 389, 392, 367. 12 Judgments affirmed.

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