An established irrigation district is a body corporate with power to contract, to sue and be sued, and to hold, manage, and dispose of real and personal property, in addition to any other powers conferred upon it by law, and shall continue in existence until such time as the district is dissolved by operation of law. In addition, each established irrigation district may adopt and use a corporate seal, acquire the right to use of water for irrigation purposes, under plans approved by the department, acquire sites for reservoirs and rights-of-way for drains, canals, and laterals, and exercise the right of condemnation pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 149 of the Public Acts of 1911, being section 213.21 to 213.25 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, or under the applicable provisions of section 75 to 84 of the drain code of 1956, Act No. 40 of the Public Acts of 1956, being section 280.75 to 280.84 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, and shall be considered to be a state agency as that term is used in that act.