Section 15-2133. Operation of reservoirs

1.  The  board shall not permit the water in any reservoir constructed
  under the provisions of title 21 of this article to rise above the  high
  flow  line  thereof,  except  during floods or other emergencies, and if
  during floods or other emergencies the water shall rise above such  high
  flow  line  the  board  shall  immediately open the outlet gates in such
  reservoir and take such other action as may be necessary  to  lower  the
  water to the high flow line of such reservoir with the least practicable
  delay.  The  board  shall  keep  an accurate and, so far as practicable,
  continuous record of the height of water in  each  reservoir  and  shall
  install  and  maintain  at suitable places such gauges or instruments as
  may be necessary therefor.
    2. Except for absolutely necessary inspection or repairs, no reservoir
  shall at any time be drawn off below the  low  flow  line,  or  to  such
  extent   as   to  expose  isolated  pools  which  may  cause  unsanitary
  conditions, unless due provision is made for draining  such  pools  into
  the  lowest  water level of such reservoir. It shall be unlawful for any
  officer or person in charge of any reservoir to neglect  the  provisions
  of this section.
    3. It shall be unlawful for any person to open or close or cause to be
  opened  or closed a gate or gates in any dam constructed pursuant to the
  provisions of this title without the consent of the  board  or  for  any
  person  to  interfere  in  any  way  with  the operation of, or injure a
  regulating reservoir.
    4. When the flow of a river at any water  power  plant  thereon  falls
  below  the  average  normal  flow  thereof, the then natural flow of the
  river at a reservoir dam thereon shall not  be  restricted  without  the
  consent of the owner of such power plant.
    5.  No  regulating  reservoir  shall  be  constructed  pursuant to the
  provisions of title 21 of this article of a  capacity  greater  than  is
  required to maintain the average flow.
    6. The expense of maintenance and operation of any existing reservoirs
  shall  be  paid  as  now provided by law until such reservoirs are taken
  over by the board pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  title  21  of  this
  article,  and  thereafter  such expense shall be paid as herein provided
  for the maintenance and operation of reservoirs constructed pursuant  to
  title 21 of this article.