Court Opinion

ID: 9773884
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 18:02:06.314133+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:58.696923
License: Public Domain

On Motion For Rehearing
POPE, Justice.
J. A. Ruble and Reese L. Harrison by their motions for rehearing ask this court to make a more complete declaration of the nature of the easements which we have held are burdens upon the fee ownership of their lands. This should be done.
The easements authorized the construction, operation and maintenance of an earthen fill dam upon the lands for retarding the flow of floodwaters and the reduction of sedimentation. In the case of the Ruble lands, the easement authorized a sedimentation pool and inundation up to the 477.5 foot contour line with a further easement right for temporary and periodic inundations following heavy rains up to the 496 foot contour line. In the case of the Harrison lands, the easement authorized a sedimentation pool and inundation up to the 468.6 foot contour line with a further easement right for temporary and periodic inundations following heavy rains up to the 489 foot contour line.
The fee owners of both the Harrison and Ruble lands retained the right of free access to and upon the fresh waters impounded by the dam including the right to the free and unrestricted use of the waters for recreation, watering livestock and the irrigation of their adjoining lands.
The motions for rehearing correctly say that our opinion stated that the landowners appealed from the awards of the Commissioners in the proceedings to take their fee interests when, in fact, the City appealed.
The motions for rehearing are granted in part, and the judgment is corrected as expressed above. The motions are otherwise overruled.