17-12-103. Proper condition of ditches.
Every ditch company organized under the provisions of this article shall be required to keep the banks of their ditch or ditches in good condition, so that the water shall not be allowed to escape from the same, to the injury of any mining claim, road, ditch or other property located and held prior to the location of such ditch; and whenever it is necessary to convey any ditch over, or across, or above any lode or mining claim, the company shall, if necessary to keep the water of said ditch out from any claim, flume the ditch so far as necessary to protect such claim or property from the water of said ditch; provided, that in all cases where the ditch has priority of right by location, the owners of such claim or property shall be compelled to protect themselves from any damages that might be created by said ditch, and the owner of such claim shall be liable for any damages resulting to said ditch by reason of the works or operations performed on such claim or property.