For centuries, these rectangular, cut-and-stone canals carried water from the Drisam River through the German Altchat to the "Old Town", for centuries. Canals have been around since at least 1250, but it is believed that they may be even older, and were in existence during the middle of the 12th century. The first mention of these unique small aqueducts comes from a written script from about 1220, in which Count Egon I of Freiburg gave permission for the monastery to use a field that was irrigated by the stream. It is believed that Freiburg-Bachel was not only used to bring water to the city, but also helped irrigate animals and fight fires.