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Canals have played
an important part in the economic and social development of Canada.
Undertaken but never completed during the French regime, they were
begun soon after 1760 and reached the peak of their development and
use during the mid-19th century. The financing and construction of
canals to improve navigation on the St. Lawrence and the Great
Lakes; the Rideau Canal constituting a waterway between the Ottawa
and the St. Lawrence, and the canals communicating with the American
waterway system of New York state are discussed in detail. Several
waterways were proposed and some actually constructed in the
Maritimes and in the West. Part of this deep waterway system
culminated in the St. Lawrence Seaway, a successful venture in
international cooperation.
A recreational
boaters “to do” list for navigating historic locks and canals
If touring Ontario’s many canals, locks and waterways is at the top
of your “summer bucket list,” there’s no better time than now to
make plans. Recreational boaters have several historical
destinations to choose from for their summer boating vacation.
Hundreds of kilometres of waterways connected by historic lock
stations and canals will be open to explore on Victoria Day long
weekend, so get ready for navigation season on Canada’s canals and
waterways.
Before embarking on one of these incredible, floating vacations,
boat owners should ensure they possess valid licenses, permits and
insurance coverage. Boat owners and renters should know a pleasure
craft operator’s card is mandatory for operators of boats fitted
with a motor. It’s also worth noting that a pleasure craft
operator’s card is not the same as a pleasure craft license. Boats
with motors that are ten or more horsepower will require a pleasure
craft license.
Safely navigate Ontario’s historic canals
For both boat owners and renters, it is necessary to possess proof
of having successfully completed a boating safety course.
Vacationers should expect Ontario’s historic canals and waterways to
be regularly patrolled by police that have the ability to write
tickets and fines, on the spot, under the Canada Shipping Act and
the Department of Transport Act, which, incidentally, includes the
Historic Canals Act. Yes, there actually is a Historic Canals Act!
It would also be prudent for boaters to visit the Office of Boating
Safety webpage, to download the latest Boating Safety Guide. This
webpage is an excellent source for all kinds of information on
boating in Canada. Boaters will also find a link to a handy boating
safety app that can be downloaded to both Android and IOS
smartphones. Having quick access to pertinent boating information
will make navigating the following historic canals and lock stations
a breeze.
Rideau Canal and Waterway
The 202 kilometre long, Rideau Canal and Waterway is both a National
Historic Site as well as a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site due
to its legendary canals and 47 lock stations. Parks Canada has
ensured boaters and visitors alike will enjoy many things to do and
see along the waterway, which covers the Rideau and Cataraqui rivers
from Ottawa, south to Kingston Harbour on Lake Ontario. These
hand-operated locks and mechanisms were originally built as a
military installation in 1832 and are still hand-operated to this
day.
The Rideau Canal and Waterway welcomes 90,000 boats during each
Navigation Season, which gives recreational boaters all the reason
to plan ahead for their boating vacation. It’s as simple as visiting
the Parks Canada’s Rideau Canal webpage in advance to purchase
seasonal lock and mooring permits. Due to high traffic and the
“first come first serve” rule, a seasonal mooring pass is
recommended for all of Ontario’s historic canals to make the best
use of precious vacation time.
Trent-Severn Waterway
For boating and canal enthusiasts, pristine scenery meets a “must
see” engineering marvel along the Trent-Severn Waterway. The
Peterborough Lift Lock, also known as Lock 21, is currently the
world’s highest hydraulic lock, and is definitely a crowd-pleaser.
There are 43 other locks in service along this epic, 368 kilometre-long
waterway route to Georgian Bay, include six heritage lock stations.
However, for a truly unique experience, boaters must visit Lock 44,
aka, the Big Chute Marine Railway. Consider this lock as an
amusement park ride for a boat. There are vessel size limitations
for the Big Chute: weight: 90 tonnes (99.0 tons) length – 30.5 m
(99.2′) beam (width) – 7.3 m (24′).
Once again, Parks Canada offers visitors plenty of things to do with
a stunning natural back drop along the banks of the historic
Trent-Severn Waterway.
Sault St. Marie Canal
Built in 1895, the Sault St. Marie Canal was the first
electric-powered canal in the world, and at one time the world’s
longest lock. In 1998, a new recreational lock, featuring the gate
machinery from the original lock, was opened. This national historic
site offers recreational boaters a beautiful, scenic connection
between Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Boaters, pack your bicycles
and take advantage of a newly upgraded biking paths and trails
located alongside the canal.
With Victoria Day long weekend just around the corner, it’s time to
get started on the pre-launch to do list. Boat owners that make
advanced planning and preparation a priority will have a much more
enjoyable vacation while navigating the historic locks and canals of
Ontario.
Starting June 1st 2020, the Rideau Canal National Historic Site will
offer limited visitor access and basic services along the entire
system, with the exception of Jones Falls and Kingston Mills. Trent
Severn and Sault St. Marie Canal will also open June 1, 2o20.
Enjoy the 2020 Navigation Season on the historic canals and locks of
Canada, but please follow the directives of the provincial health
authority for safe boating. If you have questions regarding
insurance of your current recreational boat or if you are looking to
buy a new or used boat, call the Safe Harbour Insurance marine
agents 1-877-731-1224.
Report of the Canal Navigation of the
Canadas
By Lieut.-Colonel Phillpotts of the Royal Engineers (1844) (pdf)
The Canals of Canada
By John P. Heisler (1979) (pdf) |
