Such corporations may acquire water rights for power plants or other purposes either by purchase, by appropriation under the laws of this state or of the United States or by acquiring rights of persons or corporations having made such appropriations or filed applications therefor, and are authorized to place their pipes, poles, wires, cables, conduits, towers, piers, abutments, stations and other necessary fixtures, appliances and structures, upon or across any of the public roads, streets, alleys, highways and waters in this state subject to the regulation of the county commissioners and local municipal authorities.