Before said work is let under contract said board of directors shall procure the right-of-way over all lands belonging to private persons and right-of-way or roadbed of any railway corporation and any other private or public corporation, and in case they cannot get a gratuitous relinquishment of such right-of-way, or in case said board of directors or the engineer, attorney or agent of said board of directors are unable to agree with the owner of said lands as to the amount of compensation to be paid such owner for said right-of-way, they shall proceed to condemn such, and all lands necessary for a right-of-way for such levee, or any extension thereof, according to the provisions of chapter 523.
§ 245.385, RSMo