Rideau Canal: A Waterway That Connects Ottawa To Lake Ontario
Gallery
If you're in Canada's capital, Ottawa, you should visit and admire the Rideau Canal.
On the edge of Lake Ontario, which stretches from Ottawa to Kingston, the UNESCO World Heritage designated Rideau Canal offers nature lovers a beautiful experience. The Rideau Canal was first opened in 1832, as a precaution in case of a war with the USA.
This particular canal is many things; every historian's dream, an outdoor adventure playground, and a nature lover's fantasy. The beautiful canal is a popular tourist destination throughout the year.
In winter, it becomes even shinier, making Lake Ontario a magical destination. It transforms into the exhilarating and enchanting Rideau Canal Skateway, making it the largest outdoor skating rink in the world.
Being famous for winter play, the canal is known for many other things and upcoming events. It is home to many festivals, including the Merrickville Canal Fest, the Manotick Festival of Food, the Perth Kilt Run, and the Limestone City Blues Festival.
While Ottawa has many attractions of its own, you can also visit many other interesting places around the city. The capital city offers many ways to explore, such as biking, walking, skating, and paddle boarding.
History & Formation
The historic Rideau Canal is the inland waterway between Ottawa and Lake Ontario, and was completed in 1832. It includes Upper Rideau Lake to create the waterway.
The canal was initially built as a military project, to provide a secure connection between Kingston and Montreal.
In 2000, the Rideau system was listed as the Canadian Heritage River, and later in 2007, it was then designed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The war in 1812, showed the vulnerability of Ontario at the time.
This is because they used to send supplies on the transportation system by way of St. Lawrence River, but in the end, a new defense plan was developed.
Because of the military importance, funding was received for the Rideau Canal from the Ordnance Department of Britain. At that time, Colonel John By ordered the building of the canal, after the first few years were spent just inspecting the canal's route.
Area & Location
Rideau Canal uses both the Rideau River and Cataraqui River. It is an inland waterway between the Ottawa River, Ottawa, and Lake Ontario at Kingston, Ontario, in Canada.
It also consists of several other lakes. The length of Rideau Canal is 126 mi (202 km), whereas it is 328 ft (100 m) deep. It also houses many bridges, such as The Corktown Footbridge, Pretoria Bridge, Plaza Bridge, and the Vimy Memorial Bridge.
Bridges & Their Architecture Across The Rideau Canal
It is a must for anyone who visits Ottawa to visit the historic Rideau Canal. It is one of the major attractions in the charming downtown of Ottawa, Canada.
If you are just starting your journey, you should start with the Bytown Museum. It is the best way to learn about the scenic waterway and the canal.
In addition, the museum will explain some fascinating stories about the beginnings of Ottawa and how planning for the construction of the Rideau Canal was started, as well as other historical facts.
A flight of massive right locks connecting the Ottawa River and Rideau Canal can be operated that route to Montreal manually. It is an amazing play that has multi-use pathways on both sides, mostly used for walking, running, and cycling. In summer, people are often seen boating and paddling at Dows Lake.
Importance Or Significance Of Rideau Canal
People can go boating and paddling at Dows Lake, and in winter, the canal freezes over, allowing visitors to skate on the surface. There are so many epic attractions that you can explore in this capital of Canada.
You can go on cruises and run the eco-friendly electric board from May to October. You could even rent a houseboat, to relax and enjoy the beauty of the canal and surrounding areas.
FAQs
Is Rideau Canal open?
Rideau Canal is open for skating season between January and March. Aside from these months, the canal is open for visitors to walk alongside, or boating and paddling in the water.
How many people died building the Rideau Canal?
Over a thousand workers died during the building of the intensive Rideau Canal.
How deep is the Rideau Canal?
The maximum depth of the Rideau Canal is 382 ft (100 m).
Who built the Rideau Canal?
Colonel John By was the person responsible for the construction of the Rideau Canal.
How long is the Rideau Canal Skateway?
The Rideau Canal Skateway makes its way through the Canadian capital, Ottawa. It has an entire length of about 4.8 mi (7.8 km).
What is Rideau Canal famous for?
The Rideau Canal is famous for its skateway, as it is the biggest skateway on a natural water body. The canal was also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, because it is a well-preserved canal of slackwater in North America that demonstrates the European technology of slackwater.
Who were the workers who built the Rideau Canal?
It is divided into 23 sections and was built by Colonel John By of the Royal Engineers. It was constructed by well-known contractors, Thomas McKay, Robert Drummond, John Redpath, and Philemon Wright. There were thousands of French-Canadians, Algonquin, and Irish laborers involved in the building of the canal.
Who dug the Rideau Canal?
On September 29, 1826, one of the greatest engineering feats of that time, the governor of Canada, The Earl of Dalhousie, dug the Rideau Canal.
Why do they drain the Rideau Canal?
They drain the Rideau Canal because from mid-October until mid-November, the level of water in the canal system rises between the Burritt's Rapid and Ottawa Locks. It could decrease winter storage and adjust the dams and the spillways. It is done to prepare for the freeze-up and reduce the risk of spring flooding.
How did they build the Rideau Canal?
Rideau Canal was designed and constructed by Colonel John By and Royal Engineers. The actual work was contracted out to the private individuals. There are several dams and locks along the canal, that were built from stone, whereas some local blacksmiths completed the other necessary iron fixtures.
We Want Your Photos!
More for You
Sources
https://www.planetware.com/ottawa/rideau-canal-cdn-on-onorc.htm
https://www.destinationontario.com/en-ca/rideau-canal
http://www.rideau-info.com
https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/rideau-canal-skateway
https://ottawatourism.ca/en/ottawa-insider/best-ways-experience-rideau-canal-ottawa
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rideau-Canal
See All
Doctorate specializing in Veterinary Medicine
Oluniyi AkandeDoctorate specializing in Veterinary Medicine
With an accomplished background as a Veterinarian, SEO content writer, and public speaker, Oluniyi brings a wealth of skills and experience to his work. Holding a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Ibadan, he provides exceptional consulting services to pet owners, animal farms, and agricultural establishments. Oluniyi's impressive writing career spans over five years, during which he has produced over 5000 high-quality short- and long-form pieces of content. His versatility shines through as he tackles a diverse array of topics, including pets, real estate, sports, games, technology, landscaping, healthcare, cosmetics, personal loans, debt management, construction, and agriculture.
Disclaimer
1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.
