Great Loop: Rideau Canal from Ottawa to Smith Falls
We began our Rideau Canal journey in Ottawa. It was a challenge to contain our excitement, as we had dreamed and planned of boating the Canadian canals for such a long time. It was a beautiful day, with the initial flight of 8 locks gleaming and welcoming in the morning sun. The fact that they are flanked by the Parliament building and the Chateau Laurier Hotel adding to the ambiance.
When anticipating the Loop, we were uncertain we could do both the Rideau Canal or the Trent-Severn Waterway due to time constraints. Only recently had we changed our plans to both. The beauty of the areas through which they pass was not to be resisted, and hey, when were we likely to be this way again.
The Rideau is 125 miles long and is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Shown below are websites that we found useful for planning our Rideau trip.
- Parks Canada maintains an informative website for those wishing to boat the Rideau Canal.
- Rideau Canal Information is another very useful site. Especially when trying to determine the services available at each lock.
- Information on Moorage and Lockage Permits is available on the Passes and Permits webpage.
- We purchased both the seasonal moorage and lockage permits from the lockmaster at the first lock operated by Parks Canada. Easy transaction.
The Rideau Canal connects Ottawa with Kingston. The Canal was originally constructed for military purposes in the early 1830's. It is 125 miles long and has 47 locks. Approximately 12 miles of its length are man made. The remainder is connected rivers and lakes. We traversed 45 of the 47 locks on our straight thru trip from Ottawa to Kingston.
Here's a profile of the heights along the Canal.
The entrance to the staircase of Locks 1 - 8, in Ottawa.
It took us approximately 2 hours to traverse this flight of eight locks.
The locks are operated just as they were when completed in 1832.
The original Royal Engineers Commissariat building alongside Locks 1-8.
The Rideau passes the Canadian Senate building in Ottawa
The Parliament building on the left and the Chateau Laurier Hotel on the right.
Amy Marie is tied to the Quai
Paths and parkland adorn the edges of the canal
One can walk or cycle for miles alongside the Canal
This bridge was raised hydraulically to allow passage
Amy Marie travels south through Ottawa
Occasional Cafes provide a spot to watch boat traffic.
We are exiting the city and entering the countryside
Locks 9 & 10, Hartwell's
The lockmaster's house
Other boats moored to the lock wall overnight.
Exiting the Hartwell Locks
A rustic residence
Homes in Carleton Heights
Amy Marie on the Quai at Lock 13, Black Rapids Lock.
We discovered "duck weed" can clog your raw water intake to your engine. You then have to dive under the boat to remove it!
Amy Marie at Black Rapids Lock.
We arrived in late afternoon to find a Toga party underway at the house in the background. They had a live band so we had an Animal House soundtrack for our visit.
I want to be this guy!
A float plane and boats in front of his house.
Country living...
A wonderful spot to spend the night.
On the Quai at Lock 17, Burritt's Rapids
Sunset at Burritt's Rapids
Exiting Burritt's Rapids Lock
A swing bridge at Lock 19
The bridge turns on cast steel wheels.
The lock operator manually spins the bridge!
The bridge in the open position
Leaving Lock 19, Upper Nicholson's
The Merrickville Blockhouse
Mike preparing to clear grass from the engine's raw water intake
Rental boat surrounded by rubber bumpers.
Le Boat's Rideau Rental Fleet was based out of Smith Falls.
This is a perfect way to tour the Rideau Canal.
Sunset in Smith Falls
Downtown Smith Falls had everything a boater would need.
Convenient grocery stores, pharmacy, ice cream, restaurants, brew pubs, banks & ATM's
Eastern Ontario Train Museum - Smith Falls
Inside the old Smith Falls train station.
Home of the Railroad Museum of Eastern Ontario
Mike on the platform
Beth in the station office
Inside a vintage dining car
The kitchen
The dish room
Beth is checking out the snow flanger
The old Smith Falls train station.
They are available through Air BnB
Part 2 - Rideau Canal from Smith Falls to Kingston
The Blog posting on the second half of our Rideau Canal Adventure is available at the following location:
Thanks for sharing your Ottawa experence.
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