Thousand Trails, Inc. v. California Reclamation District Number 17

Opinion

RAYE, J.

In an effort to divert raging floodwaters during torrential rains in January 1997, defendant California Reclamation District Number 17 (District 17) decided to cut a levee to the south of Turtle Beach campground (campground), owned by plaintiff Thousand Trails, Inc., and National American Corporation (Trails). To cut the levee, District 17 commandeered a bulldozer operated by an employee of Brown Sand, Inc. (Brown Sand). Unfortunately, the resulting levee cuts released floodwater and further inundated the campground.

Trails filed suit against District 17, alleging strict…