The Rideau Canal
Rideau Canal, a waterway in Ontario, Canada, connecting the Ottawa River at Ottawa with Lake Ontario at Kingston. The canal is about 124 miles (200 km) long. It follows a southwesterly course from Ottawa, through the Rideau River, Rideau and Newboro lakes, and the Cataraqui River, to Kingston. A seven-mile (11-km) branch, the Tay, extends from Lake Rideau northwest to Perth. The canal's 47 locks can accommodate vessels no longer than 110 feet (33.5 m). The canal winds through some of Ontario's most beautiful vacation land, and today is used mostly by pleasure craft. It was built in 1826-32.