California history is tied to water. Phil Brigandi says that's certainly true in the city of Orange, where one twisty street satisfied the thirst of an entire town.

"One of my favorite streets in Orange, where I grew up, is Canal Street, which is behind the mall of Orange there."

Brigandi wrote "Orange County Place Names A-Z."

"And I always say, if you know that street, Canal Street sort of winds around for no apparent reason. Except there is a reason. Back in the 1870s when the original irrigation ditch was built to bring water from the Santa Ana River into downtown Orange, it followed along that path. And the ditch of course follows the contours of the land and so it winds along to keep a level drop as it's flowing down towards the center of town there."

A pipeline eventually replaced the canal. But Orange hasn't pumped water through the pipeline since 1974. In fact, the city is paid not to pump for fear the aquifer under much of Orange County will fill with seawater.

(Airdate: 7/19/2008)