Whenever it shall be deemed necessary to construct any levee across the right-of-way of any railroad company, and such railroad company shall be entitled to compensation therefor, the board of directors shall have the power to make such crossing or to condemn and appropriate so much of such right-of-way or land as may be necessary for that purpose in the manner hereinafter provided; and whenever it shall be deemed necessary to appropriate any private property for use by the district in widening, deepening or otherwise improving any natural watercourse to prevent the overflow thereof, or for the construction of any levee, canal, drain or other work, the board of directors shall cause a survey and description of the land so required out of the right-of-way or lands of such railroad company or out of the lands of any private owner to be made by a licensed land surveyor or a professional engineer who is competent to conduct a land survey and filed with its secretary, and thereupon shall make an order declaring that the appropriation of such land is necessary and setting forth for what purpose the same is to be used. The board of directors, as soon as practicable thereafter, shall proceed to exercise the power of eminent domain in accordance with the eminent domain procedure act.