Whenever proceedings shall be instituted for the determination of the rights to the use of water, any defendant who shall fail to appear in such proceedings, after legal service, and submit proof of his claim, shall be estopped from subsequently asserting any right to the use of such water embraced in such proceeding, except as determined by such decree.
[1917 c 117 § 24; RRS § 7375. Formerly RCW 90.12.120.]