A covered corporation has broad powers to govern itself, own and use property, operate water and irrigation projects, set rates, issue bonds, make rules, contract with governments, accept gifts, and use eminent domain, subject to stated limits and one prior-approval requirement.
A corporation organized and established under the provisions of this article shall have the following powers, subject only to the limitations described in Section 9-10-35 following: (1) To adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business; (2) To adopt an official seal and alter the same at pleasure; (3) To maintain a principal office at the county seat and suboffices at such place or places within the county as it may designate; (4) To sue and be sued in its own name; (5) To enter into contracts and agreements or do any act necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and execution of its powers under this article; (6) To acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property or any interests therein; (7) To provide a water supply by impounding a stream or by development and use of wells by either construction, lease or purchase; (8) To develop and operate an irrigation project, including the facilities necessary thereto, either by construction, lease or purchase; (9) To provide for the control of floods by impounding surplus water or by other means to the extent that such work is economically feasible and desirable and not opposed to the need of water for irrigation; (10) To provide for multiple purpose developments where such are feasible and not in conflict with need of water for irrigation use, including developments for water power and water for municipal and industrial uses; (11) To establish rates for water and power sold to irrigators, municipalities, industries and other customers and authorize collection therefor, such rates to be determined on the basis of the revenue required to operate and maintain the development and for amortization of bonded indebtedness; (12) To issue revenue bonds and refunding bonds in accordance with the provisions of this article; (13) To promulgate such rules and regulations as may be required for the reasonable and efficient conduct of its business; (14) To enter into agreements and contracts with agencies of the federal government in relation to any project or work undertaken or proposed by the corporation; (15) To enter into agreements or contracts relating to irrigation with other similar corporations for the development of a common watershed where development for water power is not included; provided, that any such agreements must receive the prior approval of the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources; (16) To accept gifts from any source whatever; and (17) To have and exercise the right of eminent domain in the manner provided in Title 18 of this code for the condemnation of private properties for public use.