Mill Creek Zanja, Historic irrigation canal in Redlands, United States
Mill Creek Zanja is an irrigation canal in Redlands that carries water from Mill Creek across several miles through the San Bernardino Valley. The system manages both water supply and drainage while distributing flow across agricultural and settled areas.
The canal was built in 1819 by the Serrano people to water their fields east of Redlands from Mill Creek. It marked an early turning point in how this region managed water.
This waterway represents early water management methods in Southern California and came about through cooperation between Serrano Native people and Spanish missionaries. That collaboration shaped how the region farmed and grew for generations.
Visitors can explore sections of the canal on foot, with some parts accessible for guided tours and research purposes. Wearing sturdy shoes is a good idea since the banks can be uneven.
This is one of the oldest still-functioning irrigation canals in California and represents one of the earliest engineering achievements in Southern California. Many visitors are surprised to learn the construction was done without modern tools.
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