Drawdown

From mid-October until mid-November, water levels in the Rideau Canal system, between Ottawa Locks and Detached Lock, will be decreased to winter levels by adjusting dams and spillways in the Rideau Watershed. The following drawdown timing has been provided for Rideau Canal sections in the Lower Rideau

• Water levels will be decreased in the sections below Hog's Back, including Dow's Lake, beginning Monday, October 12th, 2020 at 5 pm and will remain at their lowest level until mid-November, after which the water level will then be raised approximately one metre between Hartwells and Ottawa lockstations to prepare for the Skateway.
• Water levels will be lowered between Hog's Back to Black Rapids beginning Tuesday, October 13th, 2020.
• Water levels will be lowered between Long Island to Black Rapids beginning Tuesday, October 13th, 2020.
• Water levels will be lowered between Burritt's Rapids to Long Island beginning Friday, October 30th, 2020.
• Water levels will be lowered between Clowes to Merrickville beginning Friday, October 30th, 2020.

From mid-October until mid-November, water levels in the Rideau Canal system, between the Ottawa Locks and Burritt’s Rapids, will decrease to winter levels by adjusting dams and spillways in the Lower Rideau Watershed. The following Rideau Canal sections will be affected:

• Water levels will be decreased in the sections below Hog's Back, including Dow's Lake, beginning Monday, October 8th, 2018 and will remain at their lowest level until mid-November, after which the water level will then be raised approximately one metre between Hartwells and Ottawa lockstations to prepare for the Skateway.
• Water levels will be lowered between Hog's Back to Black Rapids beginning Tuesday, October 9, 2018.
• Water levels will be lowered between Long Island to Black Rapids beginning Tuesday, October 9, 2018.
• Water levels will be lowered between Burritt's Rapids to Long Island beginning Monday, October 29, 2018.

Parks Canada encourages the public to use caution in and around canal structures and channels over the winter months. From mid-October to the end of May, the canal’s lock stations are closed and use of the canal is at one’s own risk. Unmarked hazards may exist. Wet leaves, ice, and snow may remain on stairs and walkways, and ice conditions on the waterway can vary. Boaters are advised that during the non-navigation season, aids to navigation may be missing, off-station, or inoperable until next spring.

From mid-October until mid-November, water levels in the Rideau Canal system, between Ottawa Locks and Burritt’s Rapids, will be decreased to winter storage levels by adjusting dams and spillways in the Lower Rideau Watershed in order to prepare for freeze up and to reduce the possibility of spring flooding. The following Rideau Canal sections will be affected:

• Water levels will be decreased in the sections below Hog's Back, including Dow's Lake, beginning Monday, October 9, 2017 and will remain at their lowest level until mid-November, after which the water level will then be raised approximately one metre between Hartwells and Ottawa lockstations to prepare for the Skateway.
• Water levels will be lowered between Hog's Back to Black Rapids beginning Tuesday, October 10, 2017.
• Water levels will be lowered between Long Island to Black Rapids beginning Tuesday, October 10, 2017.
• Water levels will be lowered between Burritt's Rapids to Long Island beginning Monday, October 30, 2017.

Parks Canada encourages the public to use caution in and around canal structures and channels over the winter months. From mid-October to the end of May, the canal’s lock stations are closed and use of the canal is at one’s own risk. Unmarked hazards may exist. Wet leaves, ice, and snow may remain on stairs and walkways, and ice conditions on the waterway can vary. Boaters are advised that during the non-navigation season, aids to navigation may be missing, off-station, or inoperable until next spring.