Montana § 85-5-302 - Maintenance Of Headgates And Measuring Devices

§ 85-5-302. Maintenance Of Headgates And Measuring Devices

Maintenance of headgates and measuring devices. All persons using water from any stream or ditch for which a water commissioner is appointed are required to have suitable headgates at the point where a ditch taps a stream and shall also, at some suitable place on the ditch and as near the head as practicable, place and maintain a proper measuring box, weir, or other appliance for the measurement of the waters flowing in the ditch. If a person fails to place or maintain a proper measuring appliance, it is the duty of the water commissioner not to apportion or distribute any water through the ditch. The commissioner shall notify all parties interested by certified mail or in person 1 week before making the annual repair or cleaning of a stream or ditch or performing necessary labor or expenses to divert water to a ditch. The sending of a certified letter to the last-known post-office address of any interested party is prima facie evidence of the fact that the party was duly notified. Any work in the way of repairing a ditch made necessary by an emergency may be done without notice when injury would result from a delay.