In all cases where it may be deemed desirable and necessary to divert any watercourse from its usual channel for any of the purposes specified in Code Section 44-9-70, it shall be lawful to submit the request to arbitration as provided in Chapter 9 of Title 9; and the arbitrators shall decide if it is necessary to divert the watercourse, who will be damaged by the diversion, and the amount of damage which will result.