Whenever in the construction, repair or maintenance of any county bridge or highway, it becomes necessary for the safety of said bridge or highway or economically advisable to widen, straighten, alter, protect or change the course of any unnavigable stream, it shall be lawful for the county to enter upon abutting or adjacent land, and to widen, straighten, alter, protect or change the course of such stream for such purposes, and, in connection with such entry, to take, injure and destroy any necessary land or property in the manner and subject to the restrictions and procedure provided by law.
16 P.S. § 2630