A dam for any gristmill, sawmill, gin, factory or plant to generate electricity by water power to be operated for the public may be erected across any watercourse, not a navigable stream, by the owner in fee of the land on both sides of the stream, or on one side at the place where the dam is proposed to be erected, by proceeding as provided in this chapter.
Ala. Code § 18-2-1 (1975)