Phillips v. Sherman , 64 Me. 171 ( 1873 )

Appleton, C. J.

The defendant is the owner of a grist mill and privilege situate on a stream issuing from Hebron Pond in Monson. The evidence shows that in 1820, a dam and grist mill were erected at the outlet of said pond. In 1841, the then owner of the privilege rebuilt and enlarged the grist mill and deepened the channel thereto. Formerly fifty bushels of wheat or corn were daily ground at this mill. More recently the number has been reduced to a daily average of about twenty bushels. The consequence is, that a much less quantity of water is now vented than formerly.

The plaintiff’s mill and dam situated some distance below on the same stream, was built in 1844. The defendant’s privilege and darn have been occupied and enjoyed by him and those under whom he derives his title for a much longer period than is necessary to acquire an adverse title by prescription. Without detailing the evidence, we think it is satisfactorily proved that the defendant has all the rights which prior occupancy can give as well as those which can be acquired by prescription, so far as regards the height of his dam.

The defendant then has a right to keep and maintain his dam at its present height with all the water necessary to propel his machinery. But of this the plaintiff makes no complaint. The defendant claims the right to retain water not needed in any way for the use of his mill nor necessary for its full enjoyment, and to the loss and injury of those whose mills are below him on the same stream.

The defendant, owning the privilege above, and being the first occupant upon the stream, has a prior right to all the water necessary to propel his machinery. But while this right is sustained and protected, he must use the water in a reasonable and proper manner, having regard to the like reasonable irse by all the proprietors above and below. He cannot unnecessarily and at his own will and pleasure, detain the water an unreasonable length of time, nor discharge it in such excessive quantity that it would endanger those below. Every owner of mills above is required so to use the water, that every riparian proprietor below shall have the enjoyment of it substantially, according to its natural flow, but subject to the necessary and unavoidable interruption arising from its reasonable and proper use by the privilege above. It cannot be unnecessarily and wantonly detained. Each riparian proprie tor on a running stream, whether above or below, has a right to the reasonable use and enjoyment of the water, and to the natural flow of the stream, subject to such disturbance and the consequent inconvenience and annoyance as might result to him from a reasonable use of the waters by others. The owner of a mill and dam has a right to the reasonable use of the water, but he must detain it no longer than is necessary for its profitable enjoyment, and then return it to its natural channel. A wanton or vexatious or unnecessary detention would render the mill owner so detaining liable in damages to those injured by such unlawful detention. Hetrich v. Deachler, 6 Barr, 32; Davis v. Winslow, 51 Maine, 264; Davis v. Getchell, 50 Maine, 602. In all these cases, the question is whether or not the use has been reasonable. Thurber v. Martin, 2 Gray, 396; Pool v. Lewis, 5 American Rep., (41 Ga., 162) 526; Holden v. Lake Co., 53 N. H., 654; Washb. on Easements, 268; Springfield v. Harris, 4 Allen, 496.

So far as the defendant or those under whom he derives his title have by artificial means improved the stream, those improvements enure to the benefit of those below. The result is that the defendant has a right to use the water in his pond for the running of all the.machinery upon his dam. He has a right to detain it when required for the reasonable use of his mill. His rights are prior and superior to those of the plaintiff. But he cannot be permitted, in mere wantonness, to detain water not to be used, and of which there is no need whatever in the running of his mill.

The question of reasonable use of the water is one of fact, to be determined by the jury. The parties have referred that question to the court. Upon the whole evidence we are of opinion that the defendant has unreasonably withheld water, neither necessary nor required for the use of his mill.

Accordingly, there must be Judgment for the plaintiff for $25 damages.

Walton, Barrows, Danforth and Peters, JJ., concurred.