Nevada Revised Statutes
Chapter 535 - Dams and Other Obstructions
NRS 535.050 - State Engineer may order removal of dam, diversion works or obstruction; limitation; procedure; payment of costs.


1. The State Engineer has the right, power and authority to order the removal of any dam, diversion works or obstruction that has been placed in any stream channel or watercourse when the dam, diversion works or obstruction has not been legally established and recognized through a valid claim of vested right, by decree of court or by a permit issued by the State of Nevada.
2. Nothing in this section is to be construed as giving the State Engineer any right or authority to remove any dam or diversion works that has been so legally recognized and established.
3. If the dam, diversion works or obstruction has not been removed after 30 days’ notice in writing given by the State Engineer and served upon the owner or person controlling the dam, diversion works or obstruction, or if no appeal has been taken from the order of the State Engineer as is provided for in NRS 533.450, then the State Engineer may remove the dam, diversion works or obstruction.
4. The State Engineer shall charge the actual cost of that removal to the water distribution account and thereafter present an itemized statement of the charge to the board of county commissioners of the county wherein those expenses were incurred. The board of county commissioners shall thereupon present a bill for the expenses to the person liable therefor under this section, and if that person neglects for 30 days thereafter to pay it, the bill and costs become a lien upon the lands and property of the person so liable for the payment of the bill, and must be collected as delinquent taxes against the lands and property are collected.
[56 1/2:140:1913; added 1951, 132]—(NRS A 1979, 670)

Structure Nevada Revised Statutes

Nevada Revised Statutes

Chapter 535 - Dams and Other Obstructions

NRS 535.005 - Chapter does not authorize use of state land without authorization from State Land Registrar.

NRS 535.010 - Construction, reconstruction or alteration of dam: Permit to appropriate water required; notice; approval of plans and specifications; inspection; exemptions; penalty.

NRS 535.020 - State Engineer to file copy of application to construct dam with Board of Wildlife Commissioners; installation of fishways; protection and preservation of fish.

NRS 535.030 - Inspection of dams by State Engineer; powers of State Engineer to protect life or property.

NRS 535.035 - State Engineer, assistants and agents authorized to enter land to investigate and carry out duties.

NRS 535.040 - Statutes and performance of State Engineer’s duties do not constitute warranty.

NRS 535.050 - State Engineer may order removal of dam, diversion works or obstruction; limitation; procedure; payment of costs.

NRS 535.060 - Obstruction of water by beaver’s dam: Procedure for removal of beaver and dams.

NRS 535.070 - Construction of weir in dam situated within 2 miles of incorporated city or town.

NRS 535.080 - Attorney General and County Commissioners of Washoe County authorized to institute actions to maintain flow of Truckee River.

NRS 535.090 - Unlawful obstruction of appropriator’s water; penalty.

NRS 535.100 - Injury or obstruction of flow of water by sawmill, slaughterhouse, brewery or tannery; civil action.

NRS 535.110 - Unlawful removal, damage or destruction of piling, dike, dock or lock; unlawful structures.

NRS 535.200 - Additional penalties.

NRS 535.210 - Injunctive and other relief.