Covell v. Sioux City

Plaintiff was the owner of a 33 by 100-foot lot in Sioux City, Iowa. Perry creek, a natural stream running through Sioux City, was located in its natural course about 75 feet westerly of plaintiff: ’s lot and dwelling. There had been another house on the adjoining lot between plaintiff’s house and the creek until 1931, when the defendant purchased that lot and moved the house away. Between 1931 and 1935 the defendant dug a new channel for the creek through the adjoining lot. In doing so defendant excavated the ground to within several feet of the west line of plaintiff’s lot, resulting in a…