2016 New York Laws
ENV - Environmental Conservation
Article 15 - WATER RESOURCES
Title 19 - (15-1901 - 15-1983) DRAINAGE
15-1947 - Unlawful interference with drainage works.

15-1947. Unlawful interference with drainage works.
1.  It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person to divert water from its
  natural watershed in such manner that it flows into a drainage district,
  or so to divert water in a drainage  district  as  to  prevent  it  from
  following the course laid out for such water by the department and cause
  it  to  flow  into  any  stream, ditch or ditches into which it does not
  naturally or was not designed to flow.
2. It shall be  unlawful  for  any  person  without  authorization  to
  interfere  with,  fill  up,  alter or change any drainage ditch or other
  structure constructed under the provisions of title 19 of  this  article
  or  lawfully constructed under the provisions of the conservation or the
  drainage laws or any other  general  or  special  statutes,  or  without
  authorization  to  open  or  close  gates  or  other regulating works in
  connection therewith or to construct unauthorized ditches or  drains  or
  other  interference.  This  shall  not  be  held  to prevent the private
  construction of drainage works within a  district,  provided  that  such
  construction is done in accordance with plans approved by the department
  and with its written consent.
3.  It  shall  be  unlawful  to  build  or  maintain across or in such
  drainage ditch any bridge or culvert which unduly impedes  the  flow  of
  water  in  such  ditch.  No  bridge or culvert across or in any drainage
  channel or ditch within or without a drainage district and necessary  to
  the  proper  drainage  thereof,  shall  hereafter  be  built, rebuilt or
  altered by any person or authority except with the written  consent  and
  approval of the department.