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Show 316 iowa natural channel." 70 The court reviewed its decisions on drainage of diffused surface water, noting the shift in emphasis to substantial damage caused to the lower owner by drainage as distinguished from the earlier rule of liability merely for an increase in the velocity or amount of water discharged. In this case, the improvements made by the highway department involved a revamping of the entire higher terrain which resulted in the discharge of water onto the lower land in what was virtually a waterfall. One commentator71 suggests that Iowa drainage problems have been avoided to some extent by statutes which authorize private condemnation of drainage easements for agricultural or mining pur- poses 72 and the establishment of public drainage districts.73 4. Ground Water Underground water is presumed to be percolating water,74 and a landowner may make a reasonable use of such water for beneficial nonwasteful purposes.75 Although the permit statute requires per- mits to withdraw ground water, there is no general legislative scheme regulating aquifers or the drilling of wells. Nor has there been any attempt to preserve artesian pressures, maintain underground water levels, or establish any other concept similar to the protected mini- mum flow relating to surface streams.76 Publications Available Institution for Water Resource Research: Iowa State Water Resources Research Institute Iowa State University of Science and Technology Ames, Iowa 50010 515-294-4264 Publications Gors, Law of Water Distribution in Iowa and South Dakota: A Comparison of the Riparian and Appropriation Systems, 20 Drake L. Rev. 256 (1971). Hines, Decade of Experience Under the Iowa Water Permit System, 7 Nat. Res. J. 499 (1967) ; 8 Nat. Res. J. 23 (1968). Hines and Schantz, Improving Water Quality Regulation in Iowa, 57 Iowa L. Rev. 231 (1971). O'Connell, Iowa's New Water Statute-The Constitutionality of Regulating Existing Uses of Water, 47 Iowa L. Rev. 549 (1962). Note, Contemporary Studies Project: Impact of Local Governmental Units on Water Quality Control, 56 Iowa L. Rev. 804 (1971). Note, Fishing and Recreational Rights in Iowa Lakes and Streams, 53 Iowa L. Rev. 1322 (1968). Note, Has Recent Legislation Limited Private Riparian Rights in Iowa?, 8 Drake L. Rev. 59 (1958). Note, Iowa Water Law: Problems To Be Considered, 42 la. L. Rev. 102 (1956). 70 Sec. 314.7. 71 Note, 50 Iowa L. Rev. 818, 829-33 (1965). « Sec. 465.1 to 465.35. "» Ch. 455. « Barclay v. Abraham, 121 Iowa 619, 96 N.W. 1080 (1903). 75 See particularly, DeBok v. DoaU, 188 Iowa 597, 176 N.W. 631 (1920). 7fl See Hines, at 48, note 207. |