State, school, county, school district, and other lands belonging to other public corporations which will be benefited by the construction, deepening or widening of any such waterway, and which are not devoted to public use, shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter, and the owners thereof by and through the proper authorities, shall be made parties in all proceedings affecting said lands, and shall have the same rights and be liable to the same right of eminent domain as the lands of private persons or corporations.