Gavel Insight

Understanding Louisiana Drainage Laws: When a Neighbor's Improper System Floods Your Life Living in Louisiana, with its unique topography, heavy rainfall, and rich hydrological systems, often means that water management is a part of daily life. While we appreciate the bayous and wetlands, dealing with unwanted water from a neighbor's improperly installed drainage system can quickly turn your dream property into a constant nightmare. If you're experiencing flooding, pooling water, or significant erosion due to how your neighbor has altered their property's drainage, you're not alone, and crucially, you likely have legal recourse under Louisiana law. The Basics of Louisiana Drainage Law: Understanding Your Rights Louisiana's Civil Code provides a clear framework for how properties must manage water, particularly concerning natural drainage. The fundamental principle is enshrined in Louisiana Civil Code Article 655, which establishes a "natural ...

Few things disrupt the peace of homeownership quite like a dispute with a neighbor, especially when the issue literally impacts your property's foundation. In Arkansas, one of the most common and damaging neighbor conflicts revolves around improper drainage systems. Whether it’s a newly installed downspout directing water onto your patio, a re-graded yard sending a river through your flowerbeds, or a poorly designed culvert undermining your driveway, these issues can lead to significant damage and immense frustration. But what are your rights, and how can you address such a problem legally in the Natural State? Understanding Arkansas Drainage Law: More Than Just a Trickle Arkansas, like many states, grapples with the complexities of surface water law. Historically, many jurisdictions adhered to the "common enemy doctrine," viewing surface water as a foe that landowners could repel as they saw fit, even if it caused harm to neighbors. However, modern interp...