Ala. Code § 9-9-15
The board of water management commissioners shall have the right and authority to enter into contracts or other agreements with the United States government or any department thereof, with persons, with railroads or other corporations, with public corporations, with the state government of this or other states and with drainage, conservation or other improvement districts in this or other states for cooperating or assisting in constructing, maintaining, using or operating the works of the district or for making surveys and investigations or reports thereon and may purchase, lease or acquire land or other property in adjoining states in order to secure outlets or for other purposes of this article, and may let contracts for securing such outlets or other works in adjoining states as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.
The board shall have the authority to borrow funds from governmental agencies or other lending institutions in lieu of or as a supplement to issuing bonds. Such loan shall not exceed 40 years.
Ala. Code § 9-9-15 (1975)