Rideau Canal

The Rideau Canal, also known unofficially as the Rideau Waterway, connects the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on the Ottawa River to the city of Kingston, Ontario, on Lake Ontario. It is 202 kilometres in length. The name Rideau, French for "curtain," is derived from the curtain-like appearance of the Rideau River's twin waterfalls where they join the Ottawa River. The canal system uses sections of two rivers, the Rideau and the Cataraqui, as well as several lakes. The Rideau Canal is operated by Parks Canada.

The canal was opened in 1832 as a precaution in case of war with the United States. It remains in use today primarily for pleasure boating, with most of its original structures intact, operated by Parks Canada. The locks on the system open for navigation in mid-May and close in mid-October. It is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America, and in 2007 it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History

The construction of the Rideau Canal was a preventive military measure undertaken after a report that during the War of 1812 the United States had intended to invade the British colony of Upper Canada via the St. Lawrence River, which would have severed the lifeline between Montreal and Kingston. The British built a number of other canals (Grenville, Chute-à-Blondeau and Carillon Canals, all along the Ottawa River) as well as a number of forts (Citadel Hill, La Citadelle, and Fort Henry) to impede and deter any future American invasions of Canadian territory.

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Latest News for: rideau canal

Carney secures three more ministerial endorsements

North Shore News 26 Jan 2025
President Donald Trump ... "Mark is the right person to lead our country through these challenging times." ... MP Adam van Koeverden also endorsed Carney on Saturday after the pair filmed a promotional video together on the Rideau Canal earlier in the week ... .

Carney secures two more ministerial endorsements

Moosejaw Today 25 Jan 2025
MP Adam van Koeverden also endorsed Carney on Saturday, after the pair filmed a promotional video together on the Rideau Canal earlier in the week ... This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2025 ... .

Mayor Sutcliffe and business leaders talk Trump tariffs at Ottawa Economic Outlook

Ottawa Business Journal 22 Jan 2025
And here in Ottawa, I’m relieved at least that President Trump has his sights set on the Panama Canal and not the Rideau Canal ... Rideau Street, and a plan for downtown revitalization established.

Carney, Freeland, Arya file paperwork to officially run for the Liberal leadership

North Shore News 22 Jan 2025
ET deadline ... Former Liberal MP Frank Baylis did not respond to inquiries ... Carney spent Wednesday in Ottawa, where he was spotted on Parliament Hill in the morning and later on the Rideau Canal skating with Liberal MP Adam van Koeverden ... 22, 2025 ... .

Carney, Arya file paperwork to officially run for the Liberal leadership

Moosejaw Today 22 Jan 2025
The two appear to be the first candidates to file ... ET deadline ... Carney spent Wednesday in Ottawa, where he was spotted on Parliament Hill in the morning and later on the Rideau Canal skating with Liberal MP Adam Van Koeverden ... 22, 2025 ... .

Final section of Rideau Canal Skateway to open Saturday

CBC 17 Jan 2025
The final section of the Rideau Canal Skateway will open at 8 a.m. Saturday, the National Capital Commission (NCC) announced Friday ... .

Why I love skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway at night

Canada Dot Com 17 Jan 2025
I adore skating on the Rideau Canal at night.

Why is it taking so long to open that last stretch of the Rideau Canal Skateway?

CBC 16 Jan 2025
After two disappointing seasons, skaters have been flocking to Ottawa's Rideau Canal. But one perennially stubborn section of the skateway remains off limits. that final 400 metres between Laurier Avenue W. and the National Arts Centre ... .

Almost all of the Rideau Canal is now open for skating

CBC 15 Jan 2025
The NCC says it's working hard to open the final 400 metres, between Laurier Avenue and the National Arts Centre. The CBC’s Sannah Choi caught up with some happy skaters ... .

More snow in the forecast for Ottawa as 7.4 km of the Rideau Canal Skateway ...

CTV 14 Jan 2025
Ottawa could see more snow today, one day after six centimetres of snow blanketed the capital ... .

These brûléed ice cream sandwiches are so good you'll want them in winter

Canada Dot Com 14 Jan 2025
Moo Shu Ice Cream & Kitchen ... I’m certain that this week, as the snow falls and the Rideau Canal Skateway opens, the treat you need is an ice cream sandwich ... .

Sliding Into Success: Multi-Channel Marketing Tips for Winterlude 2025

Ottawa Business Journal 14 Jan 2025
Winter is in full swing, and Ottawa is already preparing for the next frozen frenzy. During Winterlude, tourists emerge from the holiday haze to skate the Rideau Canal as resident families plot their course through Snowflake Kingdom ... ....

Nearly all of the Rideau Canal Skateway to open Tuesday morning

CTV 13 Jan 2025
The National Capital Commission says more ice will be available to skaters on the Rideau Canal Skateway as of Tuesday morning ... .

Rideau Canal Skateway kicks off 2025 season in Canada

Xinhua 12 Jan 2025
A family enjoys skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, Canada, Jan ... The Rideau Canal Skateway kicked off its 2025 season on Saturday, with skaters flocking to a four-kilometer ice stretch ... Rideau Canal Skateway kicks off 2025 season in Canada.

‘People are excited’: Portion of Rideau Canal Skateway opens for the first time this year

CTV 11 Jan 2025
A section of the Rideau Canal Skateway has opened for the first time this winter ... .

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