Community Update: Phase one repairs nearing completion

Kingston Mills Lock 46 repairs

April 11, 2019 – The first phase of repairs to the Kingston Mills Locks is nearing completion. The contractor is removing the cofferdam at Lock 46 and crews will be re-installing lock gates in the upcoming weeks. Once this is complete, the site will be restored to welcome visitors for the upcoming navigation season.

Over the past few months, the contractor has repaired both concrete and stone in Lock 46 and on the basin walls. This work included the replacement of old concrete, as well as repointing and grouting of existing stone. Areas worked on included the upper wing walls, gate monoliths, lock walls, breast walls, sluices, and various floor sections throughout the lock. This fall, phase two of the project will include repairs to Locks 48 and 49, while the final phase will be completed on Locks 47 and 48 over the 2020-2021 non-navigation season.

Both phases will focus on historic stone masonry repairs such as grouting, repointing, and stone replacement inside the locks. Substantial project completion is expected in spring 2021. This project is part of Parks Canada’s unprecedented $3 billion dollar investment over 5 years to support infrastructure work to heritage, visitor, waterway and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. These investments represent the largest federal infrastructure plan in the history of Parks Canada.

About Kingston Mills

In 1784, to support new Loyalist settlers, the British Government built a saw mill and grist mill at what is now known as Kingston Mills. In 1824, plans for locks along the Cataraqui River were developed to accommodate navigation. As the project advanced, a new plan was adopted that would raise the arch dam, reducing the need for locks between Kingston Mills and Lower Brewers Mills. Historically, the dam provided a basin of water required to operate the grist mill located downstream. Presently, it supports a hydro generating facility.

Beyond its historical importance, Kingston Mills, one of 24 lockstations on the Rideau Canal, is a prime example of engineering mastery. The four limestone locks each have a lift of 3.6 metres and utilize manual methods of opening and closing the lock gates – with push bar, swing bar and endless chain mechanisms.

For More Information:

For up-to-date news on infrastructure work along the Rideau Canal, please visit our website: www.parkscanada.gc.ca/rcInfrastructure. If you would like to be added to our community engagement list to receive updates on this project, please e-mail RideauCanal.info@pc.gc.ca and include “Kingston Mills Locks” in the subject heading.