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 upstream along the Rideau River to the Rideau Lakes, and from there drop 50 metres downstream along the Cataraqui River to Kingston.
The Ottawa Locks at Colonel By Valley
An engraving of the Rideau Canal locks at Bytown
1845 painting of the canal and Lower Town by Thomas Burrowes
The lock at Lower Brewers nearing completion in 1831, by Thomas Burrowes
The Ottawa River is a river in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. It is named after the Algonquin word 'to trade', as it was the major trade route of Eastern Canada at the time. For most of its length, it defines the border between these two provinces. It is a major tributary of the St. Lawrence River and the longest river in Quebec.
The Ottawa River in autumn
In this false-colour satellite image, the Ottawa River flows southeast, joining the St. Lawrence River which flows northeast. Heavily forested areas appear differing shades of orange/red, while farmland is tan shades.
Ottawa River, looking upstream (view from the Peace Tower of Parliament Centre Block)
Ottawa River, looking downstream (view from the Peace Tower of Parliament Centre Block)
