Designed to connect Ottawa with Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence river (at Kingston), the Rideau Canal ( in French meaning “curtain” because of the curtain-like twin waterfalls where it joins the Ottawa river) was opened in 1832. As the oldest, continuously operated canal system in North America, it’s original intent was to provide a secure supply and communication route to Kingston in case of possible invasion by the United States. Because it was easier to navigate than the Saint Lawrence river, the canal also served an important commercial purpose. Construction, which started in the Fall of 1826, was supervised by Lieutenant Colonel John By (Ottawa was first named “Bytown” in his honor) and was completed six years later. Prior to the 1840’s, the canal was the main travel route for immigrants headed west into “Upper Canada.” By 1849, the St. Lawrence river rapids had been tamed by a series of locks, so commercial shippers switched to this more direct route. In 1925, it was designated a National Historic Site of Canada. By 2007, the Rideau Canal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The 125 mile long Rideau Canal meets the Ottawa River below Parliament Hill.
Its primary purpose during the mid-19th century was as a communication and supply route between Ottawa and Kingston in the event of invasion by the United States.
While the original purpose was as part of the military defense system of Ottawa, today the canal is primarily used for pleasure craft.
Remnants of the Engineer’s building along side the canal.