Watercourses Act (CQLR, c. R-13).

This Act lays down provisions relating to watercourses in Québec. Every owner of land may improve any watercourse bordering upon, running along or passing across his property, and may turn the same to account by the construction of mills, manufactories, works and machinery of all kinds, and for such purpose may erect and construct, in and about such watercourse, all the works necessary for its efficient working, such as flood-gates, flumes, embankments, dams, dykes and the like. The Minister of the Environment shall have charge of the carrying out of this Act, with the exception of Section 3 and of Division VIII, which are under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Parks. The text consists of 11 chapters as follows: Alienation of the bed and banks of watercourses and of the sea (I); Right of action of lessee (II); Use of watercourses and prevention of flooding (III); Expropriation of lands required for the development and utilization of certain water-powers (IV); Expropriation of the right of way required for the laying of pipes for bringing water to a pulp or paper mill (V); Driving of timber (VI); The construction and maintenance of reservoirs for the storage of the water of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams; Charges (VIII); Construction and maintenance of other dams and similar works (IX); Emergency recourses (X); Final provisions (XI).