Reunion Voyage: Ottawa Staircase Locks

July 23, 2014

The Staircase of 8 locks at Ottawa is a unique experience. We were the first boat into the lock at 9 am, and there were 4 other boats that went through with us. Following the same pattern for each lock, we were first in and first out. On every lock, as our boat rose to the level visible from the adjoining walkways, we had a chance to visit with tourists. We met a woman from Nova Scotia whose mother was from Racine, a grandfather and granddaughter from Alberta, a couple from China and some gold loopers – along with many others.

The locks are a UNESCO Heritage site of the United Nations. The waterway climbs 80 feet from the Ottawa River to the Rideau. Right beside the locks is Parliament Hill, encircled by a paved road used by walkers, runners, bikers and the occasional car. The river side of the hill is a wild natural park, and the side next to the locks holds a visitors center and museum of the locks. These locks and the Rideau Canal were built in the early 1800’s by a British Officer and engineer, Major By and 3000+ laborers. The entire distance of the Rideau Canal was completed in 4 years and at the cost of many lives to malaria, as they hacked a route through the Canadian wilderness and river marshes.

Everything went very smoothly and as we came through the last lock at about 12 noon, we found a spot to tie up Reunion along a wall in the very center of Ottawa. From here we walked over for a tour of the Parliament building and learn some Canadian History. Then we headed for the ByMarket district and found a 12 square block area of restaurants, shopping and open-air farmers markets. This bustling neighborhood is the center of a lively nightlife and tourist area. And it’s all within easy roaming distance on foot from the dock walls.