Rideau Canal

Rideau Canal
Native names
The Ottawa Locks at Colonel By Valley
AreaOntario
Length202 km (126 mi)
Built1832
ArchitectJohn By
Governing bodyParks Canada
TypeCultural
Criteriai, iv
Designated2007 (31st session)
Reference no.1221
RegionNorth America
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

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.