Locklin v. City of Lafayette

*337Opinion

BAXTER, J.

Is a public entity liable in tort or inverse condemnation for damage to downstream riparian property caused by the discharge of surface waters into a natural watercourse abutting its property? The Court of Appeal held that there could be no liability.

We granted the petition of plaintiffs, owners of damaged properties, to consider whether the “natural watercourse rule” stated in Archer v. City of Los Angeles (1941) 19 Cal.2d 19 [119 P.2d 1] (Archer), by which the Court of Appeal believed itself bound, was properly applied in this case, and to decide whether article I, section…