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{{short description|Canal in Canada}} {{short description|Canal in Canada}}
{{distinguish|Rideau River}} {{distinguish|Rideau River}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox historic site {{Infobox historic site
| name = Rideau Canal | name = Rideau Canal
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|routemap_state = collapsed |routemap_state = collapsed
}} }}
The '''Rideau Canal''', also known unofficially as the '''Rideau Waterway''', connects Canada's capital city of ], ], to ] and the ] at ]. It is 202 kilometres long.<ref>{{cite web |author=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1221 |title=Rideau Canal – UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=2014-03-18}}</ref> The name ''Rideau'', French for "curtain", is derived from the curtain-like appearance of the ]'s ] where they join the Ottawa River.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/history/hist-canal.html |title=Rideau Canal Waterway – History of the Rideau Canal |publisher=Rideau-info.com |access-date=2013-03-03}}</ref> The canal system uses sections of two rivers, the Rideau and the ], as well as several lakes. ] operates the Rideau Canal. The '''Rideau Canal''' is a 202-kilometre long<ref>{{cite web |author=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1221 |title=Rideau Canal – UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=March 18, 2014}}</ref> canal that links the ] at ] with the ] and ] at ], Canada. Its 46 ]s raise boats from the Ottawa River 83 metres (272 feet) upstream along the ] to the ], and from there drop 50 metres (164 feet) downstream along the Cataraqui River to Kingston.<ref name="cdn-enc">{{cite web |title=Rideau Canal |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/rideau-canal |website=The Canadian Encyclopedia |access-date=March 11, 2023}}</ref>


The ] was opened in 1832 as a precaution in case of war with the United States. It remains in use today primarily for pleasure boating, with most of its original structures intact. The ] on the system open for navigation in mid-May and close in mid-October.<ref>Rideau Canal, UNESCO World Heritage, . Retrieved 2008-01-14.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/visit/visit9/locksafe_secureclus.aspx |title=Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada > Lockstation Safety |publisher=Parks Canada |access-date=2013-11-16}}</ref> It is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}} In 2007 it was registered as a ].<ref>, ], 28 June 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-14.</ref> The Rideau Canal opened in 1832 for commercial shipping. Freight was eventually moved to railways and the ], but the canal remains in use today for pleasure boating, operated by ] from May through October.<ref>Rideau Canal, UNESCO World Heritage, . Retrieved January 14, 2008.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/visit/visit9/locksafe_secureclus.aspx |title=Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada > Lockstation Safety |publisher=Parks Canada |access-date=November 16, 2013 |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022113624/http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/visit/visit9/locksafe_secureclus.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America,<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Slaymaker |first1=Olav |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J3vQDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA564 |title=Landscapes and Landforms of Eastern Canada |last2=Catto |first2=Norm |date=February 13, 2020 |publisher=Springer Nature |page=564|isbn=978-3-030-35137-3 |language=en}}</ref> and is a ].<ref>, ], June 28, 2007. Retrieved January 14, 2008.</ref>

==Toponymy==
It is named for the Rideau River, which was in turn named for ]. The name ''Rideau'', French for "curtain", is derived from the curtain-like appearance of the falls where they join the Ottawa River.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/history/hist-canal.html |title=Rideau Canal Waterway – History of the Rideau Canal |publisher=Rideau-info.com |access-date=March 3, 2013}}</ref>


== History == == History ==
] ]
{{See also|History of Ottawa}} {{See also|History of Ottawa}}


===Plan=== ===Plan===
After the ], information was received about the ]' plans to invade the ] colony of ] from upstate ] by following the ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rideau River {{!}} The Canadian Encyclopedia|url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/rideau-river#:~:text=The%20Rideau%20River%20was%20used,turn%20of%20the%2018th%20century.|access-date=2020-06-18|website=www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca}}</ref> This would have severed the lifeline between ] and the major naval base at Kingston. To protect against such an attack in the future, the British began construction or reinforcement of a number of defences including ] in ], ] in ], and ] in Kingston.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Legget |first=Robert |title=Rideau Waterway |url=https://archive.org/details/rideauwaterway0000legg |url-access=registration |publisher=University of Toronto Press |year=1955 |location=Toronto |pages=–25}}</ref> After the ], information was received about the ]' plans to invade the ] colony of ] from upstate ] by following the ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rideau River {{!}} The Canadian Encyclopedia|url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/rideau-river#:~:text=The%20Rideau%20River%20was%20used,turn%20of%20the%2018th%20century.|access-date=June 18, 2020|website=www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca}}</ref> This would have severed the lifeline between ] and a major naval base at Kingston. To protect against such an attack in the future, the British began the construction or reinforcement of a number of defences including ] in ], ] in ], and ] in Kingston.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Legget |first=Robert |title=Rideau Waterway |url=https://archive.org/details/rideauwaterway0000legg |url-access=registration |publisher=University of Toronto Press |year=1955 |location=Toronto |pages=–25}}</ref>

To ensure safe passage for military vessels between Montreal and Kingston, a route was planned that would proceed westward from Montreal, up the ] to the mouth of the Rideau River, later the site of ] (now ]), then southwest via a series of short canals connecting natural water bodies (rivers and lakes) to Kingston which is located on Lake Ontario.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rideau Canal - History of the Rideau Canal|url=http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/history/hist-canal.html|access-date=June 18, 2020|website=www.rideau-info.com}}</ref> The Rideau would form the last portion of this route, along with shorter canals at ], ] and ] to bypass rapids and other hazards along the route.<ref name="G&M-2016-08-07" />

The Rideau Route portion of this safe miliary supply route from Montreal to Kingston was first surveyed in 1783 by Lt. Gershom French, not as a canal route but as potential area for Loyalist settlement. At that time, there was no water connection to Kingston, the route, a long used indigenous water travel route, led from Rideau Falls up the Rideau River to Rideau Lake, over the watershed divide at Newboro and into the lower Rideau lakes, and then, via the White Fish River (now drowned), to Lower Beverley Lake and then by way of the Gananoque River to the St. Lawrence River.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Rideau Route: Exploring the Pre-Canal Waterway, Ken W. Watson |url=https://www.rideau-info.com/canal/history/rideau-route/index.html |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=rideau-info.com}}</ref>

The first survey for a canal route was done in 1816 by ]. Jebb, then a young 22 year-old Royal Engineer, surveyed the main route by way of the Rideau Lakes and also a shortcut route from the mouth of Irish Creek on the Rideau River to Morton Bay where it would return to the main Rideau Route. At the time of Jebb's survey, a water connection to Kingston had been established due to flooding created by mill dams located at White Fish Falls (today's Morton) and the Round Tail (just north of Upper Brewers), which flooded a previously non navigable area, the Cranberry floodplain.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Article: The Indigenous Canoe Route via Hart Lake, A Geographic Evaluation by Ken W. Watson |url=https://www.rideau-info.com/canal/articles/index.html |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=rideau-info.com}}</ref>

Jebb's shortcut proposal became known as the Irish Creek Route and it was the route Jebb recommended in his report.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Rideau Route: Exploring the Pre-Canal Waterway, Ken W. Watson |url=https://www.rideau-info.com/canal/history/rideau-route/index.html |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=rideau-info.com}}</ref> The next Rideau Route survey by civilian surveyor Samuel Clowes (1823-24) discounted the Irish Creek Route, in part because it contained a 5 mile (8 km) overland section. Clowes preferred route was by way of the Rideau lakes since, although a longer route, the summit of the proposed canal was a body of water (Rideau Lake).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Rideau Route: Exploring the Pre-Canal Waterway, Ken W. Watson |url=https://www.rideau-info.com/canal/history/rideau-route/index.html |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=rideau-info.com}}</ref>

In 1819, ], who was the ] of ], planned to make an inspection of the planned route for the Canal. However, Richmond had been bitten by a fox, and died in a settlement near ] after experiencing symptoms of rabies. Richmond had earlier convinced the ], at the time ], to become interested in the project. On 1 March, 1819, Wellington wrote a memorandum which, in part, advocated that the Rideau Canal should be built as part of the defence system for Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rideau Canal - History of the Rideau Canal |url=https://rideau-info.com/canal/history/hist-canal.html |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=rideau-info.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtcM4ippsI0 |title=The Engineering Marvel Built to Defend Against Americans — The Grisly History of the Rideau Canal |language=en |access-date=2024-05-03 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>


To ensure safe passage between Montreal and Kingston, a new route was planned that would proceed westward from Montreal along the St. Lawrence, north along the ] to the mouth of the Rideau River, later the site of ] (now ]), then southwest via canal to Kingston and out into Lake Ontario.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rideau Canal - History of the Rideau Canal|url=http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/history/hist-canal.html|access-date=2020-06-18|website=www.rideau-info.com}}</ref> The Rideau would form the last portion of this route, along with shorter canals at ], ] and ] to bypass rapids and other hazards along the route.<ref name=G&M-2016-08-07 /> When ] was brought out of retirement in 1826 to be the Superintending Engineer for the ] project he had both Lt. Joshua Jebb's 1816 survey and Samuel Clowes' 1823-24 surveys and canal proposals. With Jebb's Irish Creek shortcut route discounted by Clowes, Colonel By only considered the Rideau lakes route.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A History of the Rideau Lockstations, Ken W. Watson |url=https://www.rideau-info.com/canal/history/locks/prolog.html |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=rideau-info.com}}</ref>


] by ]]] ] by ]]]


===Construction=== ===Construction===
The construction of the canal was supervised by Lieutenant-Colonel ] of the ]. Private contractors such as future sugar refining entrepreneur ], ], ], Thomas Phillips, Andrew White<ref>, Rideau-info.com. Retrieved 2008-01-14.</ref> and others were responsible for much of the construction, and the majority of the actual work was done by thousands of ], ], ] labourers. Colonel John By decided to create a slackwater canal system<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rideauheritageroute.ca/en/aboutrideau/environment.asp |title=Rideau Heritage Route – Environment|date=21 April 2020}}</ref> instead of constructing new channels. This was a better approach as it required fewer workers, was more cost effective, and would have been easier to build.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1221 |title=Rideau Canal |first=UNESCO World Heritage |last=Centre}}</ref> The construction of the canal was supervised by Lieutenant-Colonel ] of the ]. Private contractors such as future sugar refining entrepreneur ], ], ], Thomas Phillips, Andrew White<ref>, Rideau-info.com. Retrieved January 14, 2008.</ref> and others were responsible for much of the construction, and the majority of the actual work was done by thousands of ], ], and ] labourers. Colonel John By decided to create a slackwater canal system<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rideauheritageroute.ca/en/aboutrideau/environment.asp |title=Rideau Heritage Route – Environment|date=April 21, 2020}}</ref> using dams to raise the water level to sink rapids instead of constructing new channels around them. This was a better approach as it required fewer workers, was more cost effective, and would have been easier to build.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1221 |title=Rideau Canal |first=UNESCO World Heritage |last=Centre}}</ref>


]]] ]]]


The canal work started in the fall of 1826, and it was completed by the spring of 1832. The first full steamboat transit of the canal was made by Robert Drummond's steamboat, ''Rideau'' (aka "Pumper"), leaving Kingston on May 22, 1832 with Colonel By and family on board, and arriving in Bytown on May 29, 1832. The canal work started in the fall of 1826, and it was completed by the spring of 1832. The first full steamboat transit of the canal was made by Robert Drummond's steamboat, ''Rideau'' (aka "Pumper"), leaving Kingston on May 22, 1832, with Colonel By and family on board, and arriving in Bytown on May 29, 1832.


The final cost of the canal's construction was ]822,804 when all the costs, including land acquisition, were accounted for (January 1834). Because of the unexpected cost overruns, John By was recalled to ] and was retired; he received no accolades or recognition for his tremendous accomplishment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/tales/bye-by.html |title=Rideau Canal – Tales of the Rideau: Bye By – The Story of Lieutenant-Colonel John By, R.E.}}</ref> The final cost of the canal's construction was ]822,804 when all the costs, including land acquisition, were accounted for (January 1834). Because of the unexpected cost overruns, John By was recalled to ] and was retired; he received no accolades or recognition for his tremendous accomplishment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/tales/bye-by.html |title=Rideau Canal – Tales of the Rideau: Bye By – The Story of Lieutenant-Colonel John By, R.E.}}</ref>
<!-- Do NOT change the spelling of the image file! -->] – October 1906]] <!-- Do NOT change the spelling of the image file! -->] – October 1906]]


===Commercial use=== ===Commercial use===
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Businessmen in Kingston studied the issue. They considered building another canal to ] and on to the French River and ], thereby enabling traffic on the upper Great Lakes to use canals all the way to Montreal and avoid shipping through the entire lakes system. This plan eventually emerged as the ]. It had originally been surveyed as a military route but never built. A simpler plan was to route around the dangerous parts of the St. Lawrence to allow direct shipping from Kingston to Montreal, and this was soon underway.<ref name=receives/> Businessmen in Kingston studied the issue. They considered building another canal to ] and on to the French River and ], thereby enabling traffic on the upper Great Lakes to use canals all the way to Montreal and avoid shipping through the entire lakes system. This plan eventually emerged as the ]. It had originally been surveyed as a military route but never built. A simpler plan was to route around the dangerous parts of the St. Lawrence to allow direct shipping from Kingston to Montreal, and this was soon underway.<ref name=receives/>


By 1849, the rapids of the St. Lawrence had been tamed by a series of locks, and commercial shippers were quick to switch to this more direct route.<ref name=receives>{{cite web |url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/apprendre-learn/prof/itm2-crp-trc/htm/rideau_e.asp |title=Parks Canada – Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada Receives World Heritage Site Designation! |access-date=2010-05-25}}</ref> But commercial use of the Rideau largely ended after the ] was opened in December 1854. It provided faster service than shipping by the canal. By 1849, the rapids of the St. Lawrence were made navigable by a series of locks, and commercial shippers were quick to switch to this more direct route.<ref name=receives>{{cite web |url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/apprendre-learn/prof/itm2-crp-trc/htm/rideau_e.asp |title=Parks Canada – Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada Receives World Heritage Site Designation! |access-date=May 25, 2010 |archive-date=May 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523092239/http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/culture/1812/edu/edu1.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> But commercial use of the Rideau largely ended after the ] was opened in December 1854. It provided faster service than shipping by the canal.


Further work improving the direct route continued along the St. Lawrence River. In the 1950s it was developed as the current ], which allowed ocean-going ships access to the Great Lakes. Further work improving the direct route continued along the St. Lawrence River. In the 1950s it was developed as the current ], which allowed ocean-going ships access to the Great Lakes.


===Current use=== ===Current use===
After the arrival of railway routes into Ottawa, most use of the canal was for pleasure craft. The introduction of the ] led to an increase in small pleasure craft and increasing use of inland waterways like the Rideau and Trent-Severn. Today the Rideau forms part of the ], a major waterway route connecting a large area of the eastern United States and Canada.<ref name="NOAA">{{cite web|url=http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/great-loop.html|website=NOAA FAQs|publisher=NOAA|title=What is the Great Loop?|access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref> After the arrival of railway routes into Ottawa, most use of the canal was for pleasure craft. The introduction of the ] led to an increase in small pleasure craft and increasing use of inland waterways like the Rideau and Trent-Severn. Today the Rideau forms part of the ], a major waterway route connecting a large area of the eastern United States and Canada.<ref name="NOAA">{{cite web|url=http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/great-loop.html|website=NOAA FAQs|publisher=NOAA|title=What is the Great Loop?|access-date=January 14, 2017}}</ref>


]]] ]]]


=== Construction deaths === === Construction deaths ===
As many as one thousand of the workers died during the construction of the canal. Most deaths were from disease, principally complications from ]<ref>, The Canadian Canal Society</ref> (]), which was endemic in Ontario within the range of the '']'' mosquito, and other diseases of the day. Accidents were fairly rare for a project of this size; in 1827 there were seven accidental deaths recorded.<ref name=reveal /> Inquests were held for each accidental death. The men, women and children who died were buried in local cemeteries, either burial grounds set up near work sites or existing local cemeteries. Funerals were held for the workers and the graves marked with wooden markers (which have since rotted away—leading to a misconception that workers were buried in unmarked graves).<ref name=reveal>{{cite web |url=http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/tales/grave-revealing.html |title=Grave Revealed |publisher=Rideau-info.com |access-date=2012-03-14}}</ref> As many as one thousand of the workers died during the construction of the canal. Most deaths were from disease, principally complications from ]<ref>, The Canadian Canal Society</ref> (]), which was endemic in Ontario within the range of the '']'' mosquito, and other diseases of the day. Accidents were fairly rare for a project of this size; in 1827 there were seven accidental deaths recorded.<ref name=reveal /> Inquests were held for each accidental death. The men, women and children who died were buried in local cemeteries, either burial grounds set up near work sites or existing local cemeteries. Funerals were held for the workers and the graves marked with wooden markers (which have since rotted away—leading to a misconception that workers were buried in unmarked graves).<ref name=reveal>{{cite web |url=http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/tales/grave-revealing.html |title=Grave Revealed |publisher=Rideau-info.com |access-date=March 14, 2012}}</ref>


]]] ]]]


Some of the dead remain unidentified as they had no known relatives in Upper Canada. Memorials have been erected along the canal route, most recently the ], Kingston and Chaffeys Lock.<ref>, Rideau-info.com. Retrieved 2008-01-14.</ref> The first memorial on the Rideau Canal acknowledging deaths among the labour force was erected in 1993 by the Kingston and District Labour Council and the Ontario Heritage Foundation at ]. Some of the dead remain unidentified as they had no known relatives in Upper Canada. Memorials have been erected along the canal route, most recently the ], Kingston and Chaffeys Lock.<ref>, Rideau-info.com. Retrieved January 14, 2008.</ref> The first memorial on the Rideau Canal acknowledging deaths among the labour force was erected in 1993 by the Kingston and District Labour Council and the Ontario Heritage Foundation at ].


Three canal era cemeteries are open to the public today: Chaffey's Cemetery and Memory Wall at Chaffey's Lock—this cemetery was used from 1825 to the late 19th century; the Royal Sappers and Miners Cemetery (originally called the Military and Civilian Cemetery and then as the Old Presbyterian Cemetery) near Newboro—used from 1828 to the 1940s; and McGuigan Cemetery near Merrickville—used from the early 19th century (c. 1805) to the late 1890s. Three canal era cemeteries are open to the public today: Chaffey's Cemetery and Memory Wall at Chaffey's Lock—this cemetery was used from 1825 to the late 19th century; the Royal Sappers and Miners Cemetery (originally called the Military and Civilian Cemetery and then as the Old Presbyterian Cemetery) near Newboro—used from 1828 to the 1940s; and McGuigan Cemetery near Merrickville—used from the early 19th century (c. 1805) to the late 1890s.


=== Recognition === === Recognition ===
The Rideau Canal was designated a ] in 1925, and marked with a federal plaque the next year, and again in 1962 and 2013.<ref name="rideau-info">{{cite web |url=http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/history/hist-canal.html |title=History of the Rideau Canal |publisher=Rideau-info.com |access-date=2012-03-14}}</ref> The Rideau Canal was designated a ] in 1925, and marked with a federal plaque the next year, and again in 1962 and 2013.<ref name="rideau-info">{{cite web |url=http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/history/hist-canal.html |title=History of the Rideau Canal |publisher=Rideau-info.com |access-date=March 14, 2012}}</ref>


The canal has been featured on postage stamps issued by ]. Two 45-cent stamps—'Rideau Canal, Summer Boating at Jones Falls'<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data4.collectionscanada.gc.ca/netacgi/nph-brs?s1=(military.A790,C790.)+Or+(null.B742.)&l=100&d=STMP&p=1&u=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/archivianet/02011702_e.html&r=93&f=G&Sect1=STMP |title=Canada Post stamp |publisher=Data4.collectionscanada.gc.ca |date=1998-06-17 |access-date=2013-03-03}}</ref> and 'Rideau Canal, Winter Skating by Parliament'<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data4.collectionscanada.gc.ca/netacgi/nph-brs?s1=(military.A790,C790.)+Or+(null.B742.)&l=100&d=STMP&p=1&u=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/archivianet/02011702_e.html&r=94&f=G&Sect1=STMP |title=Canada Post stamp |publisher=Data4.collectionscanada.gc.ca |date=1998-06-17 |access-date=2013-03-03}}</ref>—were issued on June 17, 1998, as part of the Canals and Recreational Destinations series. The stamps were designed by Carey George and Dean Martin, based on paintings by Vincent McIndoe. The canal has been featured on postage stamps issued by ]. Two 45-cent stamps—'Rideau Canal, Summer Boating at Jones Falls'<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data4.collectionscanada.gc.ca/netacgi/nph-brs?s1=(military.A790,C790.)+Or+(null.B742.)&l=100&d=STMP&p=1&u=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/archivianet/02011702_e.html&r=93&f=G&Sect1=STMP |title=Canada Post stamp |publisher=Data4.collectionscanada.gc.ca |date=June 17, 1998 |access-date=March 3, 2013}}</ref> and 'Rideau Canal, Winter Skating by Parliament'<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data4.collectionscanada.gc.ca/netacgi/nph-brs?s1=(military.A790,C790.)+Or+(null.B742.)&l=100&d=STMP&p=1&u=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/archivianet/02011702_e.html&r=94&f=G&Sect1=STMP |title=Canada Post stamp |publisher=Data4.collectionscanada.gc.ca |date=June 17, 1998 |access-date=March 3, 2013}}</ref>—were issued on June 17, 1998, as part of the Canals and Recreational Destinations series. The stamps were designed by Carey George and Dean Martin, based on paintings by Vincent McIndoe.
In 2014, the canal appeared on a $2.50 international rate stamp as part of a Canada Post set honoring World Heritage Sites.<ref>, from Allnumis.com</ref> The same design was reprised on a 2016 domestic-rate stamp.<ref>, Canada Post, Jan. 13, 2016</ref> In 2014, the canal appeared on a $2.50 international rate stamp as part of a Canada Post set honoring World Heritage Sites.<ref>, from Allnumis.com</ref> The same design was reprised on a 2016 domestic-rate stamp.<ref>, Canada Post, January 13, 2016</ref>


] ]
]]] ]]]


In 1993, ] and Parks Canada agreed to ] the canal with the ] in ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Twin Canals - Caledonian/Rideau. |url=https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMA05T_Twin_Canals_Caledonian_Rideau |website=Waymarking.com |access-date=20 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Twin Canals / Les canaux jumelés |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=142184 |website=The Historical Marker Database |access-date=20 January 2022}}</ref> In 1993, ] and Parks Canada agreed to ] the canal with the ] in ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Twin Canals - Caledonian/Rideau. |url=https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMA05T_Twin_Canals_Caledonian_Rideau |website=Waymarking.com |access-date=January 20, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Twin Canals / Les canaux jumelés |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=142184 |website=The Historical Marker Database |access-date=January 20, 2022}}</ref>


In 2000 the Rideau Waterway was designated a ] in recognition of its outstanding historical and recreational values.<ref name="rideau-info" /> In 2000 the Rideau Waterway was designated a ] in recognition of its outstanding historical and recreational values.<ref name="rideau-info" />
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The {{convert|202|km|mi}} of the Rideau Canal incorporate sections of the Rideau and Cataraqui rivers, as well as several lakes, including the Lower, Upper and ] lakes. About {{convert|19|km|mi|abbr=on}} of the route is artificial. Communities along the waterway include ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Communities connected by navigable waterways to the Rideau Canal include ] and ]. The {{convert|202|km|mi}} of the Rideau Canal incorporate sections of the Rideau and Cataraqui rivers, as well as several lakes, including the Lower, Upper and ] lakes. About {{convert|19|km|mi|abbr=on}} of the route is artificial. Communities along the waterway include ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Communities connected by navigable waterways to the Rideau Canal include ] and ].


Since ] and the construction of more extensive rail lines into rural Ontario, only pleasure craft make use of the Rideau Canal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/histoire-history|title=History and culture - Rideau Canal National Historic Site|last=Parks Canada Agency|first=Government of Canada|date=2019-02-15|website=www.pc.gc.ca|access-date=2019-03-08}}</ref> It takes 3–5 days to travel one way through the Rideau Canal system by motor boat.<ref name="rideauheritageroute1">{{cite web |url=http://www.rideauheritageroute.ca/en/aboutrideau/index.asp |title=Rideau Heritage Route – About the Rideau |publisher=Rideauheritageroute.ca |access-date=2014-03-18}}</ref> Boat tours of the canal are offered in Ottawa, Kingston, Merrickville, and Chaffeys Lock. A cruise line operates the ship ''Kawartha Voyageur''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontariowaterwaycruises.com |title=Home page |publisher=Ontario Waterway Cruises |access-date=2012-04-09}}</ref> Recreational boaters can use it to travel between Ottawa and Kingston. Since ] and the construction of more extensive rail lines into rural Ontario, only pleasure craft make use of the Rideau Canal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/histoire-history|title=History and culture - Rideau Canal National Historic Site|last=Parks Canada Agency|first=Government of Canada|date=February 15, 2019|website=www.pc.gc.ca|access-date=March 8, 2019}}</ref> It takes 3–5 days to travel one way through the Rideau Canal system by motor boat.<ref name="rideauheritageroute1">{{cite web |url=http://www.rideauheritageroute.ca/en/aboutrideau/index.asp |title=Rideau Heritage Route – About the Rideau |publisher=Rideauheritageroute.ca |access-date=March 18, 2014}}</ref> Boat tours of the canal are offered in Ottawa, Kingston, Merrickville, and Chaffeys Lock. A cruise line operates the ship ''Kawartha Voyageur''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontariowaterwaycruises.com |title=Home page |publisher=Ontario Waterway Cruises |access-date=April 9, 2012}}</ref> Recreational boaters can use it to travel between Ottawa and Kingston.


Most of the locks are still hand-operated. There are a total of 45 locks at 23 stations along the canal, plus two locks (locks 33 and 34) at the entrance to the ] (leading to Perth).<ref name="lockfaq">. Retrieved 2009-06-24.</ref> The elevation between the Ottawa River and its summit at Upper Rideau Lake, is 83 metres (273 feet), the elevation change from Upper Rideau Lake to Lake Ontario is 50 metres (164 feet).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rideau Canal {{!}} Description, Locks, Skating, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rideau-Canal |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> Furthermore, there are four ]s and some of the original 16 defensible lockmasters residences along the waterway. The original Commissariat Building and foundation of the Royal Engineers' barracks remain at the Ottawa Lock Station. The waterway is home to many species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and fish.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rideaufriends.com/paddling/fauna.html |title=Friends of the Rideau – Fauna of the Rideau |first=Ken |last=Watson}}</ref> Most of the locks are still hand-operated. There are a total of 45 locks at 23 stations along the canal, plus two locks (locks 33 and 34) at the entrance to the ] (leading to Perth).<ref name="lockfaq">. Retrieved June 24, 2009.</ref> The elevation between the Ottawa River and its summit at Upper Rideau Lake, is 83 metres (273 feet), the elevation change from Upper Rideau Lake to Lake Ontario is 50 metres (164 feet).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rideau Canal {{!}} Description, Locks, Skating, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rideau-Canal |access-date=July 23, 2022 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> Furthermore, there are four ]s and some of the original 16 defensible lockmasters residences along the waterway. The original Commissariat Building and foundation of the Royal Engineers' barracks remain at the Ottawa Lock Station. The waterway is home to many species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and fish.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rideaufriends.com/paddling/fauna.html |title=Friends of the Rideau – Fauna of the Rideau |first=Ken |last=Watson}}</ref>


In 1973–74 a new Smiths Falls Combined Lock, 29a, was built a few dozen metres to the north of the original flight of three locks (locks 28–30). The original locks were bypassed but left in place. In 1973–74 a new Smiths Falls Combined Lock, 29a, was built a few dozen metres to the north of the original flight of three locks (locks 28–30). The original locks were bypassed but left in place.
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=== Locks === === Locks ===


The Rideau Canal uses a ] system that is still fully functioning.<ref name="rideauheritageroute1" /> The gates that let boats in and out of the locks last approximately 12–15 years.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/edu/edu1.aspx |title=Parks Canada – Rideau Canal National Historic Site – Gates |publisher=Pc.gc.ca |date=2012-11-02 |access-date=2014-03-18}}</ref> When the canal was constructed, the gates were made at the lock sites by carpenters and blacksmiths,<ref name="autogenerated1" /> but presently they are made in ], Ontario, and sometimes it takes up to two months to build a set of gates.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> The gates used on the Rideau Canal are made of ] and are mitre-shaped to ensure a tight seal due to water pressure.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|url=http://www.rideau-info.com/documents/how-a-lock-works-e.pdf |title=How a Lock Works |publisher=Friends of the Rideau|access-date=December 14, 2018}}</ref> The average Rideau Canal lock lift uses 1.3&nbsp;million litres ({{convert|1300000|L|m3 cuyd|sigfig=2|disp=output only}} or {{convert|1300000|L|impgal USgal|sigfig=2|disp=output only}}) of water.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> The Rideau Canal uses a ] system that is still fully functioning.<ref name="rideauheritageroute1" /> The gates that let boats in and out of the locks last approximately 12–15 years.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/edu/edu1.aspx |title=Parks Canada – Rideau Canal National Historic Site – Gates |publisher=Pc.gc.ca |date=November 2, 2012 |access-date=March 18, 2014}}</ref> When the canal was constructed, the gates were made at the lock sites by carpenters and blacksmiths,<ref name="autogenerated1" /> but presently they are made in ], Ontario, and sometimes it takes up to two months to build a set of gates.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> The gates used on the Rideau Canal are made of ] and are mitre-shaped to ensure a tight seal due to water pressure.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|url=http://www.rideau-info.com/documents/how-a-lock-works-e.pdf |title=How a Lock Works |publisher=Friends of the Rideau|access-date=December 14, 2018}}</ref> The average Rideau Canal lock lift uses 1.3&nbsp;million litres ({{convert|1300000|L|m3 cuyd|sigfig=2|disp=output only}} or {{convert|1300000|L|impgal USgal|sigfig=2|disp=output only}}) of water.<ref name=autogenerated2 />


==== Rideaumax ==== ==== Rideaumax ====
In normal operations the canal can handle boats up to {{convert|27.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}} in length, {{convert|7.9|m|ftin|abbr=on}} in width, and {{convert|6.7|m|abbr=on}} in height with a draft of up to {{convert|1.5|m|abbr=on}} (boats drafting over {{convert|1.2|m|abbr=on}} are asked to contact the Rideau Canal Office of Parks Canada prior to their trip). In special circumstances a boat up to {{convert|33.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} in length by {{convert|9.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}} in width can be handled. In normal operations the canal can handle boats up to {{convert|27.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}} in length, {{convert|7.9|m|ftin|abbr=on}} in width, and {{convert|6.7|m|abbr=on}} in height with a draft of up to {{convert|1.5|m|abbr=on}} (boats drafting over {{convert|1.2|m|abbr=on}}. In special circumstances{{which|date=April 2023}} a boat up to {{convert|33.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} in length by {{convert|9.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}} in width can be handled.


=== Blockhouses === === Blockhouses ===
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=== Commissariat Building === === Commissariat Building ===
The Commissariat Building is the oldest stone building still standing in Ottawa. It was built in 1827 as a storehouse for the British Military in Upper Canada. The building has three floors, a secure vault, two sets of staircases, and a block and tackle on the front for hauling goods into the upper floors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=11116|title=HistoricPlaces.ca - HistoricPlaces.ca|website=www.historicplaces.ca|access-date=2019-03-08}}</ref> After being divided into workshops and residential apartments, the Commissariat Building has housed the ] since 1917.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bytownmuseum.com/about-us/history/|title=History|website=Bytown Museum|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-08}}</ref> The Commissariat Building is the oldest stone building still standing in Ottawa. It was built in 1827 as a storehouse and offices for the Commissariat, the supply and services division of the British Military. The building has three floors, a secure vault, two sets of staircases, and a block and tackle on the front for hauling goods into the upper floors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=11116|title=HistoricPlaces.ca - HistoricPlaces.ca|website=www.historicplaces.ca|access-date=March 8, 2019}}</ref> After being divided into workshops and residential apartments, the Commissariat Building has housed the ] since 1917.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bytownmuseum.com/about-us/history/|title=History|website=Bytown Museum|language=en-US|access-date=March 8, 2019}}</ref>


Parliament Hill was intended to be the site of a fortress, to be called Citadel Hill, where the canal ended at the Ottawa River. Parliament Hill was intended to be the site of a fortress, to be called Citadel Hill, where the canal ended at the Ottawa River.


<gallery Mode="packed" heights="140px"> <gallery mode="packed" heights="140px">
File:Blockhouse at Merrickville.jpg|At Merrickville File:Blockhouse at Merrickville.jpg|At Merrickville
File:Blockhouse at Kingston Mills.jpg|At Kingston Mills File:Blockhouse at Kingston Mills.jpg|At Kingston Mills
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== Skateway == == Skateway ==
Since the winter of 1970-71, the section of the Rideau Canal passing through central Ottawa has been re-purposed as what is officially the world's largest and second longest ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/the-rideau-skateway-not-the-longest-but-apparently-among-the-poshest |title=The Rideau 'skateway': Not the longest, but apparently among the poshest |date=December 18, 2014}}</ref> The cleared length is {{convert|7.8|km|mi}} and has the equivalent surface area of 90 Olympic ]s. It runs from the Hartwells Lockstation at ] to the locks between the ] and the ], including ] in between. It serves as a popular tourist attraction and recreational area and is also the focus of the ] festival in Ottawa. In the winter of 2022-2023, unseasonably mild weather prevented the opening of the Skateway for Winterlude.<ref name=citynews/> ], a ] pastry, are sold along with other snacks and beverages, in kiosks on the skateway. Kiosks were removed in early 2023 due to the resulting lack of tourism.<ref name=citynews>{{Cite web |title=No skating causes BeaverTails stands along Rideau Canal Skateway to be taken down |url=https://ottawa.citynews.ca/local-news/no-skating-causes-beavertails-stands-along-rideau-canal-skateway-to-be-taken-down-6587771 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |website=CityNews Ottawa |language=en}}</ref>
] in the background.]]
In winter, a section of the Rideau Canal passing through central Ottawa becomes officially the world's largest and second longest ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/the-rideau-skateway-not-the-longest-but-apparently-among-the-poshest |title=The Rideau 'skateway': Not the longest, but apparently among the poshest |date=18 December 2014}}</ref> The cleared length is {{convert|7.8|km|mi}} and has the equivalent surface area of 90 Olympic ]s. It runs from the Hartwells Lockstation at ] to the locks between the ] and the ], including ] in between. It serves as a popular tourist attraction and recreational area and is also the focus of the ] festival in Ottawa. ], a ] pastry, are sold along with other snacks and beverages, in kiosks on the skateway.


In January 2008, ], ], achieved the record of the world's longest skating rink at a length of 8.54 kilometres but with a width of only 2 to 3 metres wide<ref name="cbc.ca">. CBC News, January 27, 2008. Retrieved 1 Oct 2010.</ref> on its ] and ] at ]. In response, the Rideau Canal was rebranded as "the world's largest skating rink". The Rideau Canal Skateway was added to the Guinness Book of World Records in 2005 for being the largest naturally frozen ice rink in the world.<ref name="ncc-ccn1">{{cite web |url=http://www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-to-visit/rideau-canal-skateway/ice |title=The Ice &#124; National Capital Commission |publisher=Ncc-ccn.gc.ca |date=2014-02-25 |access-date=2014-03-18}}</ref> In January 2008, ], ], achieved the record of the world's longest skating rink at a length of 8.54 kilometres but with a width of only 2 to 3 metres wide<ref name="cbc.ca">. CBC News, January 27, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2010.</ref> on its ] and ] at ]. In response, the Rideau Canal was rebranded as "the world's largest skating rink". The Rideau Canal Skateway was added to the Guinness Book of World Records in 2005 for being the largest naturally frozen ice rink in the world.<ref name="ncc-ccn1">{{cite web |url=http://www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-to-visit/rideau-canal-skateway/ice |title=The Ice &#124; National Capital Commission |publisher=Ncc-ccn.gc.ca |date=February 25, 2014 |access-date=March 18, 2014}}</ref> As of 2023, the Streetview feature of Google Maps allows you to "skate" the length of the skateway.


The Skateway is open 24 hours a day. The length of the season depends on the weather, but typically the Rideau Canal Skateway opens in January and closes in March.<ref name=nccfaq>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-to-visit/rideau-canal-skateway/frequently-asked-questions |title=Ncc Faq |publisher=Ncc-ccn.gc.ca |access-date=2014-03-18}}</ref> Because of ], the region's average winter temperature has risen at an accelerating rate since the 1970s, which has gradually pushed back the opening day of skating and shortened the skating season.<ref name="nature2014skating">{{Cite journal|last1=Brammer|first1=Jeremy R.|last2=Samson|first2=Jason|last3=Humphries|first3=Murray M.|date=2014-12-18|title=Declining availability of outdoor skating in Canada|journal=Nature Climate Change|language=en|volume=5|issue=1|pages=2–4|doi=10.1038/nclimate2465|issn=1758-6798}}</ref> In 1971–1972, the Skateway's second winter, the skating season was 90 days long, which is the longest season so far.<ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite web |url=http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/attraction.html |title=Rideau Canal – Attractions}}</ref> 2015–2016 was the shortest Rideau Canal Skateway season, being a mere 34 days long (and with only 18 skating days).<ref name="canal2016record">{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/canal-ncc-short-season-1.3463948 |title=Rideau Canal Skateway closes after shortest season on record |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=2016-02-25 |access-date=2016-02-25}}</ref> The Skateway is open 24 hours a day. The length of the season depends on the weather, but typically the Rideau Canal Skateway opens in January and closes in March.<ref name=nccfaq>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-to-visit/rideau-canal-skateway/frequently-asked-questions |title=Ncc Faq |publisher=Ncc-ccn.gc.ca |access-date=March 18, 2014}}</ref> Because of ], the region's average winter temperature has risen at an accelerating rate since the 1970s, which has gradually pushed back the opening day of skating and shortened the skating season.<ref name="nature2014skating">{{Cite journal|last1=Brammer|first1=Jeremy R.|last2=Samson|first2=Jason|last3=Humphries|first3=Murray M.|date=December 18, 2014|title=Declining availability of outdoor skating in Canada|journal=Nature Climate Change|language=en|volume=5|issue=1|pages=2–4|doi=10.1038/nclimate2465|issn=1758-6798}}</ref> In 1971–1972, the Skateway's second winter, the skating season was 90 days long, which was its longest season.<ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite web |url=http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/attraction.html |title=Rideau Canal – Attractions}}</ref> By 2022–23, warm temperatures combined with snow and rain led to the first ever season with zero skating days.<ref name="CBCskateway2023">{{cite web | title=Rideau Canal Skateway won't open this winter | website=CBC | date=February 24, 2023 | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/rideau-canal-skateway-2023-season-closed-1.6738557 | access-date=February 24, 2023}}</ref> Before then, the 2015–2016 season was the shortest in which the Skateway was opened, being a mere 34 days long (and with only 18 skating days).<ref name="canal2016record">{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/canal-ncc-short-season-1.3463948 |title=Rideau Canal Skateway closes after shortest season on record |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=February 25, 2016 |access-date=February 25, 2016}}</ref> On January 21, 2024, the canal opened for the first time in nearly two years, yet was only open for 10 days of skating before it closed for the season on February 25, marking the shortest skating season in which the canal actually opened.<ref name="canal2024">{{cite web |url=https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/see-you-next-winter-rideau-canal-skateway-closed-for-the-season-1.6782738 |title='See you next winter': Rideau Canal Skateway closed for the season |publisher=CTV News |date=February 25, 2024 |access-date=June 19, 2024}}</ref>
{{clear}} {{clear}}
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|- |-
! Season !! Opened !! Closed !! Days of skating
! Season !! Opened !! Closed !! Days of skating<ref name="ottawa_cit">{{cite web |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/well-that-was-quick-rideau-canal-closes-for-the-season-after-25-skating-days |date=2017-02-22 |title=Well, that was quick: Rideau Canal Skateway closes for the season after 25 skating days}}</ref>

|-
|55th || January 11, 2025<ref>{{cite web| url = https://x.com/NCC_Skateway/status/1878137655629656100| title =TODAY’S THE DAY!}}</ref> || ''In progress''||
|-
|54th || January 21, 2024<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/rieau-canal-skate-ottawa-open-date-location-1.7088668| title =Rideau Canal Skateway opens for first time since 2022}}</ref> || February 25, 2024|| 10<ref name="canal2024"/>
|-
|53rd || — || — || 0<ref name="CBCskateway2023"/>
|- |-
|52nd || January 14, 2022 || March 5, 2022 || 41
|52nd
|January 14, 2022
|March 5, 2022
|41
|- |-
|51st || January 28, 2021 || February 25, 2021 || 26<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 25, 2021|title=Rideau Canal Skateway closed for the season|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/rideau-canal-2021-season-closed-february-1.5928351|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=CBC|language=en}}</ref>
|51st
|January 28, 2021
|February 25, 2021
|26<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 25, 2021|title=Rideau Canal Skateway closed for the season|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/rideau-canal-2021-season-closed-february-1.5928351|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-25|website=CBC|language=en}}</ref>
|- |-
| 50th || January 18, 2020<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/50th-season-rideau-canal-skateway-open-1.5430540| title = Lace 'em up: Skateway's 50th season set to begin Saturday {{!}} CBC News}} </ref> || February 26, 2020 || 31<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/rideau-canal-skateway-closed-1.5476728| title = Rideau Canal Skateway closed for the season {{!}} CBC News}} </ref> | 50th || January 18, 2020<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/50th-season-rideau-canal-skateway-open-1.5430540| title = Lace 'em up: Skateway's 50th season set to begin Saturday {{!}} CBC News}}</ref> || February 26, 2020 || 31<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/rideau-canal-skateway-closed-1.5476728| title = Rideau Canal Skateway closed for the season {{!}} CBC News}}</ref>
|- |-
| 49th || December 30, 2018 || March 10, 2019 || 59 | 49th || December 30, 2018 || March 10, 2019 || 59
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| 48th || January 5, 2018 || February 21, 2018 || 35 | 48th || January 5, 2018 || February 21, 2018 || 35
|- |-
| 47th || January 14, 2017 || February 18, 2017 || 25<ref name="ottawa_cit">{{cite web |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/well-that-was-quick-rideau-canal-closes-for-the-season-after-25-skating-days |date=February 22, 2017 |title=Well, that was quick: Rideau Canal Skateway closes for the season after 25 skating days}}</ref>
| 47th || January 14, 2017 || February 18, 2017 || 25
|- |-
| 46th || January 23, 2016 || February 25, 2016 || 18 | 46th || January 23, 2016 || February 25, 2016 || 18
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=== Preparation and maintenance === === Preparation and maintenance ===


The preparation for the Skateway starts as early as mid-October.<ref name="ncc-ccn2">{{cite web |url=http://www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-to-visit/rideau-canal-skateway/frequently-asked-questions |title=Frequently Asked Questions &#124; National Capital Commission |publisher=Ncc-ccn.gc.ca |access-date=2014-03-18}}</ref> At the end of the boating season, the water is drained at the Ottawa locks near Parliament by Parks Canada.<ref name="ncc-ccn2" /> Facilities on the ice such as shelters, chalets, and access ramps for vehicles are then installed.<ref name="ncc-ccn2" /> Next, "beams are placed at the locks, and the water is raised to skating level."<ref name="ncc-ccn2" /> After this step, the essentials are added such as stairs to access the ice, and hookups for both plumbing and electricity.<ref name="ncc-ccn2" /> The ice cap that forms as the canal freezes becomes the Rideau Canal Skateway.<ref name="ncc-ccn1" /> When the canal has built up a sufficient ice thickness, snow is removed from the ice surface and it is flooded in order to make the ice even more thick and smooth.<ref name="ncc-ccn2" /> Samples of ice are tested for quality and thickness.<ref name="ncc-ccn1" /> When it is safe to skate on, the Rideau Canal Skateway is opened for the season. The preparation for the Skateway starts as early as mid-October.<ref name="ncc-ccn2">{{cite web |url=http://www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-to-visit/rideau-canal-skateway/frequently-asked-questions |title=Frequently Asked Questions &#124; National Capital Commission |publisher=Ncc-ccn.gc.ca |access-date=March 18, 2014}}</ref> At the end of the boating season, the water is drained at the Ottawa locks near Parliament by Parks Canada.<ref name="ncc-ccn2" /> Facilities on the ice such as shelters, chalets, and access ramps for vehicles are then installed.<ref name="ncc-ccn2" /> Next, "beams are placed at the locks, and the water is raised to skating level."<ref name="ncc-ccn2" /> After this step, the essentials are added such as stairs to access the ice, and hookups for both plumbing and electricity.<ref name="ncc-ccn2" /> The ice cap that forms as the canal freezes becomes the Rideau Canal Skateway.<ref name="ncc-ccn1" /> When the canal has built up a sufficient ice thickness, snow is removed from the ice surface and it is flooded in order to make the ice even more thick and smooth.<ref name="ncc-ccn2" /> Samples of ice are tested for quality and thickness.<ref name="ncc-ccn1" /> When it is safe to skate on, the Rideau Canal Skateway is opened for the season.


The Rideau Canal Skateway is maintained by the NCC (]).<ref name="ncc-ccn1" /> The ice is maintained by crews 24 hours a day, seven days a week.<ref name="ncc-ccn2" /> The snow and ice shavings are cleared off the surface every day and the ice surface is flooded each night with a "water dispersion machine" (weather permitting) to fill in any cracks caused by the contracting and expanding ice.<ref name="ncc-ccn2" /> There are approximately 20 holes along the side of the Skateway that flood the ice surface to make it smoother for skaters.<ref name="ncc-ccn2" /> The Rideau Canal Skateway is maintained by the NCC (]).<ref name="ncc-ccn1" /> The ice is maintained by crews 24 hours a day, seven days a week.<ref name="ncc-ccn2" /> The snow and ice shavings are cleared off the surface every day and the ice surface is flooded each night with a "water dispersion machine" (weather permitting) to fill in any cracks caused by the contracting and expanding ice.<ref name="ncc-ccn2" /> There are approximately 20 holes along the side of the Skateway that flood the ice surface to make it smoother for skaters.<ref name="ncc-ccn2" />
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Two types of ice can form on the Rideau Canal Skateway, which are "white ice" and "]".<ref name="ncc-ccn1" /> White ice has a milky appearance with air bubbles, and is formed when snow and water mix and then freeze.<ref name="ncc-ccn1" /> White ice can also be formed by mechanically flooding the ice surface with water to increase the thickness of the ice cap.<ref name="ncc-ccn1" /> The other type of ice is called "clear ice", which has a colourless appearance and is formed when ice crystals build up below the frozen surface in cold temperatures.<ref name="ncc-ccn1" /> If ] accumulates on the ice it can negatively impact the conditions for skating. Snow depresses the ice surface and slows down the formation of ice crystals beneath the surface.<ref name="ncc-ccn1" /> Two types of ice can form on the Rideau Canal Skateway, which are "white ice" and "]".<ref name="ncc-ccn1" /> White ice has a milky appearance with air bubbles, and is formed when snow and water mix and then freeze.<ref name="ncc-ccn1" /> White ice can also be formed by mechanically flooding the ice surface with water to increase the thickness of the ice cap.<ref name="ncc-ccn1" /> The other type of ice is called "clear ice", which has a colourless appearance and is formed when ice crystals build up below the frozen surface in cold temperatures.<ref name="ncc-ccn1" /> If ] accumulates on the ice it can negatively impact the conditions for skating. Snow depresses the ice surface and slows down the formation of ice crystals beneath the surface.<ref name="ncc-ccn1" />


Ice conditions can be classified as very good, good, fair or poor.<ref name="ncc-ccn3">{{cite web |url=http://www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-to-visit/rideau-canal-skateway/ice-condition-definitions |title=Ice Condition Definitions &#124; National Capital Commission |publisher=Ncc-ccn.gc.ca |date=2014-02-25 |access-date=2014-03-18}}</ref> They are updated twice daily by the NCC. The ideal ("very good") conditions mean there are "a limited number of pressure cracks", the ice is very hard and durable overall, the ice surface is clean and smooth, there are a "limited number of rough areas", and there is a "very good gliding surface."<ref name="ncc-ccn3" /> Ice conditions can be classified as very good, good, fair or poor.<ref name="ncc-ccn3">{{cite web |url=http://www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-to-visit/rideau-canal-skateway/ice-condition-definitions |title=Ice Condition Definitions &#124; National Capital Commission |publisher=Ncc-ccn.gc.ca |date=February 25, 2014 |access-date=March 18, 2014}}</ref> They are updated twice daily by the NCC. The ideal ("very good") conditions mean there are "a limited number of pressure cracks", the ice is very hard and durable overall, the ice surface is clean and smooth, there are a "limited number of rough areas", and there is a "very good gliding surface."<ref name="ncc-ccn3" />


== See also == == See also ==
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== References == == References ==
{{Reflist|30em|refs= {{Reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name="G&M-2016-08-07">{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-story-of-the-rideau-canal-a-major-engineering-feat-of-the-19th-century/article31304774/ |title=The story of the Rideau Canal: A major engineering feat of the 19th century |newspaper=] |author=Roy MacGregor |date=7 August 2016 |access-date=2016-08-10}}</ref> <ref name="G&M-2016-08-07">{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-story-of-the-rideau-canal-a-major-engineering-feat-of-the-19th-century/article31304774/ |title=The story of the Rideau Canal: A major engineering feat of the 19th century |newspaper=] |author=Roy MacGregor |date=August 7, 2016 |access-date=August 10, 2016}}</ref>
}} }}


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* *
* – ] and the ] * – ] and the ]
* '''' - On the Bright Side video from ]
* '''', online exhibit on Archives of Ontario website * '''', online exhibit on Archives of Ontario website
* *
* *
* * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815125227/http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/places-to-visit/rideau-canal-skateway |date=August 15, 2013 }}


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Revision as of 14:44, 22 January 2025

Canal in Canada Not to be confused with Rideau River.

Rideau Canal
Native names
The Ottawa Locks at Colonel By Valley
AreaOntario
Length202 km (126 mi)
Built1832
ArchitectJohn By
Governing bodyParks Canada
UNESCO World Heritage Site
TypeCultural
Criteriai, iv
Designated2007 (31st session)
Reference no.1221
RegionNorth America
National Historic Site of Canada
Designated1925
Rideau Canal
Specifications
Length202 km (126 miles)
Maximum boat length90 ft 0 in (27.43 m)
Maximum boat beam26 ft 0 in (7.92 m)
Maximum boat draft1.5 m (5 ft), only 4ft guaranteed
Locks47
StatusOpen (seasonal)
History
Construction began1826
Date completed1832
Geography
Start pointOttawa River
End pointLake Ontario
Route map
Legend
Lock Nº
MP (km)
Ottawa River
Rideau Falls
Sussex Drive
Minto Bridges
1-8
0.0
Ottawa, St. Patrick Street
Plaza Bridge,
Cummings Bridge
Confederation Line
Mackenzie King Bridge
Laurier Avenue Bridge
Adàwe Crossing
Corktown Footbridge
Highway 417
Pretoria Bridge
Footbridge (old railway)
Confederation Line
Flora Footbridge
George McIlraith Bridge
Bank Street Bridge,
Billings Bridge
Bronson Avenue
Dow's Lake
Trillium Line
9-10
6.7
Hartwells
Heron Bridge
11-12
8.4
Hog's Back,
Hog's Back Falls
Hog's Back Bridge
Mooney's Bay
CN/Via Bridge
Hunt Club Road
13
15.0
Black Rapids
Vimy Memorial Bridge
Jock River
14-16
23.3
Long Island
Long Island
Roger Stevens Drive
Highway 416
Kemptville Creek
Merlyn Wilson Road
17
64.0
Burritts Rapids
Burritts Rapids
18
69.4
Lower Nicholsons
19
69.7
Upper Nicholsons
Upper Nicholsons
20
70.5
Clowes
21-23
73.8
Merrickville
County Road 43
24
86.7
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock
25
92.7
Edmonds
26-27
95.4
Old Slys
Old Slys
Highway 15
Rideau Canal Museum
29a
96.8
Smiths Falls
(formerly Locks 28-30)
Abbot St
31
97.4
Smiths Falls Detached
32
101.1
Poonamalie
Lower Rideau Lake
 
107.5
Tay Canal
33
 
Lower Beveridges
34
 
Upper Beveridges
Big Rideau Lake
 
126.8
Colonel By Island
35
132.4
Narrows
The Narrows
Upper Rideau Lake
Rideau River
Cataraqui River
County Road 42
36
140.8
Newboro Lock
Newboro Lake
Clear Lake
 
146.0
Ferry (cable)
Indian Lake
37
148.7
Chaffeys
Chaffeys
Opinicon Lake
38
152.0
Davis
Sand Lake
39-42
159.0
Jones Falls
Whitefish Lake
Brass Point
Cranberry Lake
43-44
176.5
Upper Brewers
Lower Brewers
45
179.3
Lower Brewers
Kingston Mills
46-49
195.2
Kingston Mills
Highway 401
La Salle Causeway
Highway 2
Lake Ontario
This diagram:

The Rideau Canal is a 202-kilometre long canal that links the Ottawa River at Ottawa with the Cataraqui River and Lake Ontario at Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Its 46 locks raise boats from the Ottawa River 83 metres (272 feet) upstream along the Rideau River to the Rideau Lakes, and from there drop 50 metres (164 feet) downstream along the Cataraqui River to Kingston.

The Rideau Canal opened in 1832 for commercial shipping. Freight was eventually moved to railways and the St. Lawrence Seaway, but the canal remains in use today for pleasure boating, operated by Parks Canada from May through October. It is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Toponymy

It is named for the Rideau River, which was in turn named for Rideau Falls. The name Rideau, French for "curtain", is derived from the curtain-like appearance of the falls where they join the Ottawa River.

History

An engraving of the Rideau Canal locks at Bytown
See also: History of Ottawa

Plan

After the War of 1812, information was received about the United States' plans to invade the British colony of Upper Canada from upstate New York by following the St. Lawrence River. This would have severed the lifeline between Montreal and a major naval base at Kingston. To protect against such an attack in the future, the British began the construction or reinforcement of a number of defences including Citadel Hill in Halifax, La Citadelle in Quebec City, and Fort Henry in Kingston.

To ensure safe passage for military vessels between Montreal and Kingston, a route was planned that would proceed westward from Montreal, up the Ottawa River to the mouth of the Rideau River, later the site of Bytown (now Ottawa), then southwest via a series of short canals connecting natural water bodies (rivers and lakes) to Kingston which is located on Lake Ontario. The Rideau would form the last portion of this route, along with shorter canals at Grenville, Chute-à-Blondeau and Carillon to bypass rapids and other hazards along the route.

The Rideau Route portion of this safe miliary supply route from Montreal to Kingston was first surveyed in 1783 by Lt. Gershom French, not as a canal route but as potential area for Loyalist settlement. At that time, there was no water connection to Kingston, the route, a long used indigenous water travel route, led from Rideau Falls up the Rideau River to Rideau Lake, over the watershed divide at Newboro and into the lower Rideau lakes, and then, via the White Fish River (now drowned), to Lower Beverley Lake and then by way of the Gananoque River to the St. Lawrence River.

The first survey for a canal route was done in 1816 by Sir Joshua Jebb. Jebb, then a young 22 year-old Royal Engineer, surveyed the main route by way of the Rideau Lakes and also a shortcut route from the mouth of Irish Creek on the Rideau River to Morton Bay where it would return to the main Rideau Route. At the time of Jebb's survey, a water connection to Kingston had been established due to flooding created by mill dams located at White Fish Falls (today's Morton) and the Round Tail (just north of Upper Brewers), which flooded a previously non navigable area, the Cranberry floodplain.

Jebb's shortcut proposal became known as the Irish Creek Route and it was the route Jebb recommended in his report. The next Rideau Route survey by civilian surveyor Samuel Clowes (1823-24) discounted the Irish Creek Route, in part because it contained a 5 mile (8 km) overland section. Clowes preferred route was by way of the Rideau lakes since, although a longer route, the summit of the proposed canal was a body of water (Rideau Lake).

In 1819, Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond, who was the Governor-in-Chief of British North America, planned to make an inspection of the planned route for the Canal. However, Richmond had been bitten by a fox, and died in a settlement near Richmond after experiencing symptoms of rabies. Richmond had earlier convinced the Duke of Wellington, at the time Master-General of the Ordnance, to become interested in the project. On 1 March, 1819, Wellington wrote a memorandum which, in part, advocated that the Rideau Canal should be built as part of the defence system for Canada.

When Lt. Colonel John By was brought out of retirement in 1826 to be the Superintending Engineer for the Rideau Canal project he had both Lt. Joshua Jebb's 1816 survey and Samuel Clowes' 1823-24 surveys and canal proposals. With Jebb's Irish Creek shortcut route discounted by Clowes, Colonel By only considered the Rideau lakes route.

1845 painting of the canal and Lower Town by Thomas Burrowes

Construction

The construction of the canal was supervised by Lieutenant-Colonel John By of the Royal Engineers. Private contractors such as future sugar refining entrepreneur John Redpath, Thomas McKay, Robert Drummond, Thomas Phillips, Andrew White and others were responsible for much of the construction, and the majority of the actual work was done by thousands of Irish, Scottish, and French-Canadian labourers. Colonel John By decided to create a slackwater canal system using dams to raise the water level to sink rapids instead of constructing new channels around them. This was a better approach as it required fewer workers, was more cost effective, and would have been easier to build.

The lock at Lower Brewers nearing completion in 1831, by Thomas Burrowes

The canal work started in the fall of 1826, and it was completed by the spring of 1832. The first full steamboat transit of the canal was made by Robert Drummond's steamboat, Rideau (aka "Pumper"), leaving Kingston on May 22, 1832, with Colonel By and family on board, and arriving in Bytown on May 29, 1832.

The final cost of the canal's construction was £822,804 when all the costs, including land acquisition, were accounted for (January 1834). Because of the unexpected cost overruns, John By was recalled to London and was retired; he received no accolades or recognition for his tremendous accomplishment.

Poonahmalee, on the Rideau River, near Smith Falls, Ontario – October 1906

Commercial use

Since the canal was completed, no further military engagements have taken place between Canada and the United States. Although the Rideau was not put to defensive use, it played a pivotal role in the early development of Canada and encouraged shipping, trade, and settlement of Upper Canada by tens of thousands of immigrants.

The canal was easier to navigate than the St. Lawrence River because of significant rapids in the river between Montreal and Kingston. As a result, the Rideau Canal became a busy commercial artery between Montreal and the Great Lakes. It was also used by tens of thousands of immigrants from the British Isles heading westward into Upper Canada in this period.

It was a major route for shipping heavy goods (timber, minerals, grain) from Canada's hinterland east to Montreal. Hundreds of barge loads of goods were shipped each year along the Rideau; in 1841, for instance, some 19 steamboats, 3 self-propelled barges, and 157 unpowered or tow barges used the Rideau Canal. The canal had to compete with the Erie Canal through New York State. Some of the shipments that might have been made from Kingston east, instead were taken to the opposite side of the St. Lawrence River to Oswego, New York. There they traveled by the Oswego Canal to reach the Erie and, via the Hudson River, New York City markets.

Businessmen in Kingston studied the issue. They considered building another canal to Lake Simcoe and on to the French River and Georgian Bay, thereby enabling traffic on the upper Great Lakes to use canals all the way to Montreal and avoid shipping through the entire lakes system. This plan eventually emerged as the Trent-Severn Waterway. It had originally been surveyed as a military route but never built. A simpler plan was to route around the dangerous parts of the St. Lawrence to allow direct shipping from Kingston to Montreal, and this was soon underway.

By 1849, the rapids of the St. Lawrence were made navigable by a series of locks, and commercial shippers were quick to switch to this more direct route. But commercial use of the Rideau largely ended after the Prescott and Bytown Railway was opened in December 1854. It provided faster service than shipping by the canal.

Further work improving the direct route continued along the St. Lawrence River. In the 1950s it was developed as the current Saint Lawrence Seaway, which allowed ocean-going ships access to the Great Lakes.

Current use

After the arrival of railway routes into Ottawa, most use of the canal was for pleasure craft. The introduction of the outboard motor led to an increase in small pleasure craft and increasing use of inland waterways like the Rideau and Trent-Severn. Today the Rideau forms part of the Great Loop, a major waterway route connecting a large area of the eastern United States and Canada.

Brewer's Lower Mill – view down the Cataraqui Creek and clearing made for the Rideau Canal, 1829 by Thomas Burrowes

Construction deaths

As many as one thousand of the workers died during the construction of the canal. Most deaths were from disease, principally complications from malaria (P. vivax), which was endemic in Ontario within the range of the Anopheles mosquito, and other diseases of the day. Accidents were fairly rare for a project of this size; in 1827 there were seven accidental deaths recorded. Inquests were held for each accidental death. The men, women and children who died were buried in local cemeteries, either burial grounds set up near work sites or existing local cemeteries. Funerals were held for the workers and the graves marked with wooden markers (which have since rotted away—leading to a misconception that workers were buried in unmarked graves).

View on the Cataraqui Creek, Brewer's Upper Mills in the background, 1830 by Thomas Burrowes

Some of the dead remain unidentified as they had no known relatives in Upper Canada. Memorials have been erected along the canal route, most recently the Celtic Cross memorials in Ottawa, Kingston and Chaffeys Lock. The first memorial on the Rideau Canal acknowledging deaths among the labour force was erected in 1993 by the Kingston and District Labour Council and the Ontario Heritage Foundation at Kingston Mills.

Three canal era cemeteries are open to the public today: Chaffey's Cemetery and Memory Wall at Chaffey's Lock—this cemetery was used from 1825 to the late 19th century; the Royal Sappers and Miners Cemetery (originally called the Military and Civilian Cemetery and then as the Old Presbyterian Cemetery) near Newboro—used from 1828 to the 1940s; and McGuigan Cemetery near Merrickville—used from the early 19th century (c. 1805) to the late 1890s.

Recognition

The Rideau Canal was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1925, and marked with a federal plaque the next year, and again in 1962 and 2013.

The canal has been featured on postage stamps issued by Canada Post. Two 45-cent stamps—'Rideau Canal, Summer Boating at Jones Falls' and 'Rideau Canal, Winter Skating by Parliament'—were issued on June 17, 1998, as part of the Canals and Recreational Destinations series. The stamps were designed by Carey George and Dean Martin, based on paintings by Vincent McIndoe. In 2014, the canal appeared on a $2.50 international rate stamp as part of a Canada Post set honoring World Heritage Sites. The same design was reprised on a 2016 domestic-rate stamp.

Looking up from the bottom of the Ottawa Lockstation of the Rideau Canal. Chateau Laurier in Center rear.
Rideau Canal Locks looking down towards the Ottawa River from Wellington Street

In 1993, British Waterways and Parks Canada agreed to twin the canal with the Caledonian Canal in Scotland.

In 2000 the Rideau Waterway was designated a Canadian Heritage River in recognition of its outstanding historical and recreational values.

In 2007 it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognizing it as a work of human creative genius. The Rideau Canal was recognized as the best preserved example of a slack water canal in North America demonstrating the use of European slackwater technology in North America on a large scale. It is the only canal dating from the great North American canal-building era of the early 19th century that remains operational along its original line with most of its original structures intact. It was also recognized as an extensive, well preserved and significant example of a canal which was used for military purposes linked to a significant stage in human history – that of the fight to control the north of the American continent.

A plaque was erected by the Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board at Jones Falls Lockstation commemorating Lieutenant Colonel John By, Royal Engineer, the superintending engineer in charge of the construction of the Rideau Canal. The plaque notes the 123-mile-long (198 km) Rideau Canal, built as a military route and incorporating 47 locks, 16 lakes, two rivers, and a 360-foot-long (110 m), 60-foot-high (18.3 m) dam at Jones Falls (Jones Falls Dam), was completed in 1832.

Other plaques to the canal erected by the Ontario Heritage Trust are at Kingston Mills, Smiths Falls, and Rideau Lakes.

Waterway

The 202 kilometres (126 mi) of the Rideau Canal incorporate sections of the Rideau and Cataraqui rivers, as well as several lakes, including the Lower, Upper and Big Rideau lakes. About 19 km (12 mi) of the route is artificial. Communities along the waterway include Ottawa, Manotick, Kars, Burritts Rapids, Merrickville, Smiths Falls, Rideau Ferry, Portland, Westport, Newboro, Seeleys Bay and Kingston. Communities connected by navigable waterways to the Rideau Canal include Kemptville and Perth.

Since World War I and the construction of more extensive rail lines into rural Ontario, only pleasure craft make use of the Rideau Canal. It takes 3–5 days to travel one way through the Rideau Canal system by motor boat. Boat tours of the canal are offered in Ottawa, Kingston, Merrickville, and Chaffeys Lock. A cruise line operates the ship Kawartha Voyageur. Recreational boaters can use it to travel between Ottawa and Kingston.

Most of the locks are still hand-operated. There are a total of 45 locks at 23 stations along the canal, plus two locks (locks 33 and 34) at the entrance to the Tay Canal (leading to Perth). The elevation between the Ottawa River and its summit at Upper Rideau Lake, is 83 metres (273 feet), the elevation change from Upper Rideau Lake to Lake Ontario is 50 metres (164 feet). Furthermore, there are four blockhouses and some of the original 16 defensible lockmasters residences along the waterway. The original Commissariat Building and foundation of the Royal Engineers' barracks remain at the Ottawa Lock Station. The waterway is home to many species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and fish.

In 1973–74 a new Smiths Falls Combined Lock, 29a, was built a few dozen metres to the north of the original flight of three locks (locks 28–30). The original locks were bypassed but left in place.

Locks

The Rideau Canal uses a lock system that is still fully functioning. The gates that let boats in and out of the locks last approximately 12–15 years. When the canal was constructed, the gates were made at the lock sites by carpenters and blacksmiths, but presently they are made in Smiths Falls, Ontario, and sometimes it takes up to two months to build a set of gates. The gates used on the Rideau Canal are made of Douglas Fir and are mitre-shaped to ensure a tight seal due to water pressure. The average Rideau Canal lock lift uses 1.3 million litres (1,300 m; 1,700 cu yd or 290,000 imp gal; 340,000 US gal) of water.

Rideaumax

In normal operations the canal can handle boats up to 27.4 m (89 ft 11 in) in length, 7.9 m (25 ft 11 in) in width, and 6.7 m (22 ft) in height with a draft of up to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) (boats drafting over 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in). In special circumstances a boat up to 33.5 m (109 ft 11 in) in length by 9.1 m (29 ft 10 in) in width can be handled.

Blockhouses

Four blockhouses were built from 1826 to 1832 to provide protection for the canal which was under the control of the British Forces:

  • Merrickville Blockhouse – used briefly during 1837 Rebellion, it became a residence for the lockmaster, upper floor removed in 1909 and restored in 1960 as a museum
  • Kingston Mills Blockhouse – used in 1837–1838, then enlarged to use as a residence, more alterations made in 1909 and restored to 1830 layout in the 1960s
  • Newboro Blockhouse – built by the British Ordnance Department, it was also used briefly for its intended military role in the 1830s and then converted to home for lockmaster; restored in 1960s to original blockhouse configuration.
  • Rideau Narrows Blockhouse – built by William H. Tett it was also altered in the 19th century to become lockmaster's residence and restored from 1967 to 1970 to its original layout.

A fifth blockhouse at Burritts Rapids was partially built in 1832 before work was stopped with only the foundation and walls completed, then rebuilt in 1914–1915 and finally demolished to be replaced by the current lock station in 1969.

Commissariat Building

The Commissariat Building is the oldest stone building still standing in Ottawa. It was built in 1827 as a storehouse and offices for the Commissariat, the supply and services division of the British Military. The building has three floors, a secure vault, two sets of staircases, and a block and tackle on the front for hauling goods into the upper floors. After being divided into workshops and residential apartments, the Commissariat Building has housed the Bytown Museum since 1917.

Parliament Hill was intended to be the site of a fortress, to be called Citadel Hill, where the canal ended at the Ottawa River.

  • At Merrickville At Merrickville
  • At Kingston Mills At Kingston Mills
  • At Newboro At Newboro
  • At Rideau Narrows At Rideau Narrows
  • Commissariat Building Commissariat Building

Skateway

Since the winter of 1970-71, the section of the Rideau Canal passing through central Ottawa has been re-purposed as what is officially the world's largest and second longest skating rink. The cleared length is 7.8 kilometres (4.8 mi) and has the equivalent surface area of 90 Olympic ice hockey rinks. It runs from the Hartwells Lockstation at Carleton University to the locks between the Parliament Buildings and the Château Laurier, including Dow's Lake in between. It serves as a popular tourist attraction and recreational area and is also the focus of the Winterlude festival in Ottawa. In the winter of 2022-2023, unseasonably mild weather prevented the opening of the Skateway for Winterlude. Beaver Tails, a fried dough pastry, are sold along with other snacks and beverages, in kiosks on the skateway. Kiosks were removed in early 2023 due to the resulting lack of tourism.

In January 2008, Winnipeg, Manitoba, achieved the record of the world's longest skating rink at a length of 8.54 kilometres but with a width of only 2 to 3 metres wide on its Assiniboine River and Red River at The Forks. In response, the Rideau Canal was rebranded as "the world's largest skating rink". The Rideau Canal Skateway was added to the Guinness Book of World Records in 2005 for being the largest naturally frozen ice rink in the world. As of 2023, the Streetview feature of Google Maps allows you to "skate" the length of the skateway.

The Skateway is open 24 hours a day. The length of the season depends on the weather, but typically the Rideau Canal Skateway opens in January and closes in March. Because of global warming, the region's average winter temperature has risen at an accelerating rate since the 1970s, which has gradually pushed back the opening day of skating and shortened the skating season. In 1971–1972, the Skateway's second winter, the skating season was 90 days long, which was its longest season. By 2022–23, warm temperatures combined with snow and rain led to the first ever season with zero skating days. Before then, the 2015–2016 season was the shortest in which the Skateway was opened, being a mere 34 days long (and with only 18 skating days). On January 21, 2024, the canal opened for the first time in nearly two years, yet was only open for 10 days of skating before it closed for the season on February 25, marking the shortest skating season in which the canal actually opened.

Season Opened Closed Days of skating
55th January 11, 2025 In progress
54th January 21, 2024 February 25, 2024 10
53rd 0
52nd January 14, 2022 March 5, 2022 41
51st January 28, 2021 February 25, 2021 26
50th January 18, 2020 February 26, 2020 31
49th December 30, 2018 March 10, 2019 59
48th January 5, 2018 February 21, 2018 35
47th January 14, 2017 February 18, 2017 25
46th January 23, 2016 February 25, 2016 18
45th January 10, 2015 March 9, 2015 59
44th December 31, 2013 March 11, 2014 58
43rd January 18, 2013 February 28, 2013 38
42nd January 15, 2012 February 22, 2012 26
41st January 8, 2011 March 6, 2011 53
40th January 14, 2010 February 26, 2010 36
39th January 1, 2009 March 5, 2009 58
38th January 25, 2008 March 5, 2008 34
37th January 26, 2007 March 12, 2007 45
36th January 7, 2006 March 10, 2006 39
35th December 28, 2004 March 16, 2005 66
34th January 14, 2004 February 28, 2004 46
33rd January 3, 2003 March 16, 2003 66
32nd February 2, 2002 March 8, 2002 26
31st December 29, 2000 March 9, 2001 69
30th December 31, 1999 February 23, 2000
29th January 2, 1999 March 16, 1999
28th December 21, 1997 March 2, 1998 46
27th January 12, 1997 March 22, 1997 57
26th January 1, 1996 February 23, 1996 47
25th January 1, 1995 March 9, 1995 50
24th December 30, 1993 March 11, 1994
23rd December 29, 1992 March 1, 1993
22nd December 28, 1991 March 6, 1992
21st January 4, 1991 March 2, 1991
20th December 24, 1989 February 22, 1990
19th December 23, 1988 March 14, 1989
18th January 4, 1988 March 7, 1988
17th January 7, 1987 March 2, 1987
16th December 27, 1985 February 23, 1986
15th January 4, 1985 February 22, 1985
14th December 25, 1983 February 17, 1984
13th January 2, 1983 February 14, 1983
12th December 27, 1981 February 21, 1982
11th December 18, 1980 February 17, 1981
10th January 1, 1980 February 22, 1980 43
9th January 5, 1979 February 23, 1979
8th December 29, 1977 March 9, 1978
7th December 14, 1976 February 27, 1977 45
6th December 20, 1975 February 26, 1976
5th December 31, 1974 February 28, 1975
4th January 1, 1974 February 28, 1974
3rd December 25, 1972 1973 45
2nd December 26, 1971 March 25, 1972
1st January 18, 1971 February 26, 1971

Although some residents of Ottawa used the canal as an impromptu skating surface for years, the official use of the canal as a skateway and tourist attraction is a more recent innovation. As recently as 1970, however, city government of Ottawa considered paving over the canal to make an expressway. The federal government's ownership of the canal, however, prevented the city from pursuing this proposal. When Doug Fullerton was appointed chair of the National Capital Commission, he proposed a recreational corridor around the canal, including the winter skateway between Carleton University and Confederation Park. The plan was implemented on January 18, 1971, despite opposition by city council. A small section of ice near the National Arts Centre was cleared by NCC employees with brooms and shovels, and 50,000 people skated on the canal the first weekend. Today the skating area of the canal is larger because of the equipment available for ice resurfacing and 24/7 maintenance crews. The skateway now has an average of one million visits per year. City councillor and author Clive Doucet credits this transformation of the canal with reinvigorating the communities of the Glebe, Old Ottawa East and Old Ottawa South.

An ice hockey game on the canal on Christmas Day, 1901

Preparation and maintenance

The preparation for the Skateway starts as early as mid-October. At the end of the boating season, the water is drained at the Ottawa locks near Parliament by Parks Canada. Facilities on the ice such as shelters, chalets, and access ramps for vehicles are then installed. Next, "beams are placed at the locks, and the water is raised to skating level." After this step, the essentials are added such as stairs to access the ice, and hookups for both plumbing and electricity. The ice cap that forms as the canal freezes becomes the Rideau Canal Skateway. When the canal has built up a sufficient ice thickness, snow is removed from the ice surface and it is flooded in order to make the ice even more thick and smooth. Samples of ice are tested for quality and thickness. When it is safe to skate on, the Rideau Canal Skateway is opened for the season.

The Rideau Canal Skateway is maintained by the NCC (National Capital Commission). The ice is maintained by crews 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The snow and ice shavings are cleared off the surface every day and the ice surface is flooded each night with a "water dispersion machine" (weather permitting) to fill in any cracks caused by the contracting and expanding ice. There are approximately 20 holes along the side of the Skateway that flood the ice surface to make it smoother for skaters.

Two types of ice can form on the Rideau Canal Skateway, which are "white ice" and "clear ice". White ice has a milky appearance with air bubbles, and is formed when snow and water mix and then freeze. White ice can also be formed by mechanically flooding the ice surface with water to increase the thickness of the ice cap. The other type of ice is called "clear ice", which has a colourless appearance and is formed when ice crystals build up below the frozen surface in cold temperatures. If snow accumulates on the ice it can negatively impact the conditions for skating. Snow depresses the ice surface and slows down the formation of ice crystals beneath the surface.

Ice conditions can be classified as very good, good, fair or poor. They are updated twice daily by the NCC. The ideal ("very good") conditions mean there are "a limited number of pressure cracks", the ice is very hard and durable overall, the ice surface is clean and smooth, there are a "limited number of rough areas", and there is a "very good gliding surface."

See also

References

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