1. On any stream in this state on which the water rights have been adjudicated and determined and the final decree therefor entered, as between all persons who claimed the right to the use of the waters of such stream, in a suit brought in the district court having jurisdiction of such stream and in which suit the adjudication and determination was not had in the manner provided in NRS 533.087 to 533.265, inclusive, and thereafter one or more of the parties as users of such adjudicated and determined rights or their successors in interest desire that the State Engineer take charge of the diversions and distribution of such rights and administer them in conformity with the final decree of the court, they may petition the district court which entered the decree requesting such administration.

2. Upon the filing of such petition, the district court shall direct that notice of the filing of the petition shall be given to each water user or claimant to a water right listed in the final decree. The notice shall be an order to show cause on the day fixed in the order by the court, which day shall not be less than 10 days nor more than 25 days from and after the date of issuance thereof, and which order shall direct the person or persons therein named to attend before the court on that day and show cause, if any they or each of them may have, why the petition should not be granted. The court shall designate the form and direct the preparation of the order or orders to show cause and by its order direct the manner, mode and the payment of the cost of the service thereof.

3. For the purpose of the hearing on the petition, such petition shall be deemed in the nature of a complaint. Objections of the water users or claimants, or any of them, to the granting of the petition shall be in writing signed by such users or claimants, or by any attorneys thereof. No other pleading shall be filed. Costs shall be paid as in civil cases brought in the district court, except by the State Engineer or the State. The practice in civil cases shall apply insofar as consistent with the summary character of the proceedings. The State Engineer shall be given notice of and, in person or by assistant or deputy state engineer, shall attend upon the hearing of the petition.

4. The court, prior to the final determination of the matter, may, by an order duly entered and served upon the State Engineer, direct the State Engineer to make a hydrographic survey of the stream system and to render to the court a written report, together with such maps and other necessary data as will enable the court to determine whether or not administration of such water rights by the State Engineer would be in the best interest of the water users.

5. If the district court finally determines the matter affirmatively, the court shall, by its judgment duly entered and served on the State Engineer, direct the State Engineer to distribute such waters in strict accordance with the decree, and from and after the filing of such judgment in the district court and service thereof on the State Engineer the administration of the decree and the distribution of the water thereunder shall be under the supervision and control of the district court, and the State Engineer, the State Engineer’s deputies, assistants and water commissioners, when engaged in the administration of the final decree and the distribution of the water thereunder, shall be deemed officers of the district court only and subject only to its supervision and control.

6. Appeals may be taken from the judgment so entered to the appellate court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to the rules fixed by the Supreme Court pursuant to Section 4 of Article 6 of the Nevada Constitution in the same manner and within the time as provided in NRS 533.450.

[Part 46 1/2:140:1913; added 1947, 518; A 1949, 102; 1951, 158] — (NRS A 2013, 1787)