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Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
The department shall have authority to enter upon any lands or enclosures, and cut, open, maintain, and repair such drains or ditches, inlets or outlets through the same as are necessary to carry the waters from roads, highways, or within, at the top, or base of, slope areas, constructed or improved at the expense of the Commonwealth or under its supervision. Any damages sustained by the owner or owners of land entered upon by the department for such purposes, shall be paid in the same manner as provided by this act in the construction of State highways. The determination of the amount of damage shall be in accordance with the provisions of Article III of this act. 1
If any person shall stop, fill up, or injure any such drain or ditch, or shall divert or change the course thereof without authority from the department, such person shall upon summary conviction thereof, for every such offense forfeit and pay a sum of not less than four dollars ($4.00) nor more than twenty dollars ($20.00), together with costs of prosecution. All such fines collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the proper county.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Pennsylvania Statutes Title 36 P.S. Highways and Bridges § 670-417. Drains and ditches over lands and enclosures; damages; penalty - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-36-ps-highways-and-bridges/pa-st-sect-36-670-417/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
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