Section 1. Power of councils
From and after the passage of this act, whenever the burgess and town council of any borough or the councils of any city within this Commonwealth shall deem it essential to the preservation of health, or to the interest and welfare of any borough or city and the inhabitants thereof, to vacate, change, alter or relocate the course or channel of any creek, run or natural waterway, other than navigable streams, the said burgess and town council, or the councils of any city, shall have full power and authority, by ordinance duly passed, to vacate, change, alter or relocate the course or channel of any creek, run or natural waterway, other than navigable streams, or any part thereof, within the limits of such borough or city, and for this purpose to enter upon, condemn and take such property and materials as may be necessary to effect such change, alteration or relocation. Provided, however, That no ordinance for the vacation, changing, alteration or relocation of the course or channel of any creek, run or natural waterway shall be passed until notice thereof has been given by publication of the proposed ordinance at length, for at least once a week for three consecutive weeks, in at least one newspaper published in the county in which said borough or city is situate. 1899, April 28, P.L. 74, Sec. 1.