“You no longer associate bridges over rivers with water” (Texas heat joke)

One of the items on popular “You Know You Are in Texas When…” internet lists is: “You no longer associate bridges over rivers with water.” It’s hot in Texas, but 2007 showed that it certainly can rain and those bridges certainly are necessary.
 
Although this is cited on a Texas list since 1998, the saying appears to have made a “You Know You Are in Arizona When…” list a few months earlier.
 
 
Google Groups: soc.penpals
Newsgroups: soc.penpals
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (SpringBrst)
Date: 1998/04/21
Subject: Are these old too?
   
You know you’re in Arizona when…
(...)
-You no longer associate bridges (or rivers) with water.
   
Google Groups: rec.humor
Newsgroups: rec.humor, alt.humor, alt.tastelesshumor, alt.tasteless.jokes, eunet.jokes, z-netz.alt.jokes, alt.jokes, phx.general
From: admin@{remove}humorspace.com (Jolly)
Date: 1998/06/19
Subject: You Know You’re In Arizona When
 
You no longer associate bridges (or rivers) with water
       
Google Groups: soc.support.depression.manic
Newsgroups: soc.support.depression.manic, alt.support.depression.manic
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (James D. Milton)
Date: 1998/08/26
Subject: More Fun and Games :-(
 
You Know You Are In El Paso When ...
You notice your radiator is overheating ... before you start your car.
You no longer associate bridges over rivers with water.
 
Google Groups: alt.law-enforcement
Newsgroups: alt.law-enforcement
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (Edie Goodwin)
Date: 1998/08/30
Subject: If You Think It’s Hot In Hell, Come To Texas To Cool Off!
 
You know you’re in Texas when:
You no longer associate bridges (or rivers) with water.
 
Google Groups: rec.motorcycles.harley
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.harley
From: heekster

Date: 1998/09/02
Subject: You Know You Are in Texas When . . .
 
You no longer associate bridges over rivers with water.