The board of directors has the power to construct the said works across any stream of water, watercourse, street, avenue, highway, railway, canal, ditch, or flume which the route of said canal may intersect or cross. If such railroad company and said board, or the owners and controllers of said property, thing, or franchise so to be crossed, cannot agree upon the amount to be paid therefor, or the points or the manner of said crossings, the same shall be ascertained and determined in all respects as is provided in respect to the taking of land for public uses. The right-of-way is hereby given, dedicated, and set apart to locate, construct, and maintain said works or reservoirs over, through, or upon any of the lands which are now or may be the property of the state.
C.R.S. § 37-41-128