Immediately after qualifying, as provided in § 49-19-950, the commissioners shall begin their duties. They may at any time call upon the attorney of the district for legal advice and information relative to their duties and the chief engineer or one of his assistants shall accompany the commissioners when engaged in the discharge of their duties and shall render his opinion in writing when called for. The commissioners shall proceed to view the premises and determine the value of all lands, within or without the district, to be acquired and used for rights of way, holding basins or other works set out in the Plan of Reclamation. They shall assess the amount of benefits and the amount of damages also, if any, that will accrue to each tract or lot of land according to ownership, public highways, railroads and other rights of way from carrying out and putting into effect the Plan of Reclamation theretofore adopted.