Enter Canada – Chambly Canal to Chambly

Canadian Customs Office

We entered Canada this morning. The customs office/dock was just 1 mile from the Gaines Marina and it was quick and easy.  Two very friendly officers asked a few questions, and looked at our passports and boat documents.  They asked if we had more than $10,000 Canadian dollars in cash and we all had a good laugh. They provided a permit for us to be in Canada until the end of August.

On down the Richelieu River we entered the Chambly Canal.  It is a narrow channel alongside the Richelieu River.  Probably built to accommodate traffic because the Richelieu is both shallow and fast moving over many rocky rapids.  The river was only 100 feet to our east in most spots. We could see it over the canal “dike” and it didn’t look Looper friendly.

The Chambly Canal was very nice, with locks being frequent and not very deep - we went through six locks today.  The speed limit in the canal was 6 mph and there was no waiting at the locks.   Each lock was tended by 2 lock keepers (many of them young women) and they cranked the doors open and shut and lifted the water release gates by hand with gears and levers.  All went smoothly and we arrived at the town of Chambly mid-afternoon in a light rain.  We are going to explore the town and find a little restaurant for dinner.  We are tied to the wall outside the lock for the overnight stay, which is permitted if you buy a season Canada Pass and that pass can be used at any national park, lock or city dock.  

Well kept Cottage on the river

Different roof design

New  Bridge, interesting design

Lock Entrance

Crank the doors closed and move the ramp across

Wooden Lock Doors

The fun Guys at Lock 4