A Sail Tale

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North America

Rideau Canal

A 202 km UNESCO-listed Ontario canal of hand-cranked stone locks between Ottawa and Kingston, North America's oldest continuously operated canal.

12 episodes on the chart

Length
202 km (126 statute miles)
Locks
45-47 (Wikipedia: 47 including Tay Canal; 23-24 lockstations)
Draft
1.5 m (5 ft) maximum; about 4 ft guaranteed
Air clearance
6.7 m (22 ft)
Season
mid-May to mid-October
Max boat size
27.4 m (90 ft) long, 7.9 m (26 ft) beam

The Rideau Canal connects Ottawa on the Ottawa River with Kingston on Lake Ontario over 202 km (126 statute miles). Built in the 1830s for military reasons, it is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. Parks Canada operates it from mid-May to mid-October.

Boaters pass through a chain of lakes, the Rideau River and historic lockstations with staffed lock gates, and most run it in 3-6 days of comfortable cruising. The eight-lock Ottawa flight lifts boats from the river, and the summit is reached in Rideau Lakes country before locks lower boats to Kingston.

The limits are practical. Vessels can be up to 27.4 m (90 ft) long and 7.9 m (26 ft) wide, with a maximum draft of 1.5 m (5 ft) and only about 4 ft guaranteed. Air clearance is 6.7 m (22 ft), so sailboats usually lower masts.

Highlights

  • Ottawa Locks flight
  • Hog's Back Falls
  • Smiths Falls and Merrickville
  • Jones Falls
  • Kingston Mills and downtown Kingston

Watch out for

  • Only about 4 ft of depth guaranteed
  • 22 ft air clearance limit
  • Seasonal operation with limited lock hours
  • Low-water weeks in late summer

Episodes on this route 12

Crews on this route

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A summary for learning and dreaming, not for navigation. Rules, fees, seasons and security advice change: check current official sources before you go.

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