56. Subject to the provisions of this division, of other special and general acts and to any conditions the Government may be pleased to determine, it shall be allowed to keep stored up, in all seasons, the waters of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, with the object of conserving them so as to regulate their flow, either by their natural outlets or by a deviation therefrom, and thus to ensure a uniform supply to water-works systems and mills, and a constancy of hydraulic power, and, for that object, to construct and maintain dams, dikes, embankments and accessories and other necessary or useful works.
R. S. 1964, c. 84, s. 56.