Lockage and navigation
Rideau Canal National Historic Site
The Rideau Canal National Historic Site is operated by Parks Canada - an agency of Environment and Climate Change Canada. From May to October, the canal is open as a 202 km-long navigational waterway for boaters and paddlers. This historic lockage system and UNESCO World Heritage Site, consists of 29 individual locks, and facilitates travel up and down the canal through many remote environments and townsites. During Parks Canada's operating season, trained lockmasters and staff open the locks daily to visitors for lockage and navigation, and for land-based visitation in the surrounding green space. When visiting, the friendly lock staff are available to answer your questions, explain lock operations and offer you further assistance with your travels.
Boater information
Hours of Operation
Lockstation open and closing times, plus first and last lockage
Lockstations
Complete list of all locks on the Rideau Canal
Navigation Data
Information about lock lift, bridge clearance and distances
Technical Data
Specifications of Rideau Canal and its water depths
Navigational aids
Learn to spot and understand the directional aids for boaters
Nautical charts
What charts you need and where to buy them
Visitor safety
Search and Rescue - VHF Channel 16
Boating search and rescue operations in Ontario are jointly coordinated by the Ontario Provincial Police, the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Coast Guard and other agencies.
Marine VHF distress channel, Channel 16, is continuously monitored:
- The distress call, MAYDAY, indicates that the station sending the signal is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance
- The message, PANPAN, means that the sender requires help on an urgent basis
Locking through safely
Learn how to use the locks
Historic Canals Regulations
Speed limits, no wake zones, and other guidelines
Visitor Guidelines
Information about alcohol, cannabis, fires, drones, and other rules and regulations
Planning your trip
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