Narrows

Before the arrival of the Royal Engineers, Rideau Lake stretched unbroken for 35 km (22 miles) between Newboro and the entrance to the Rideau River, 29 km (18 miles) to the north. There was, and is, no reason for this lock with its 1 metre (3 feet) lift, except for two factors - money and human life. The new causeway raised the lake's water level, saving excavation of hard rock, and therefore money, in the long artificial channel leading to the lock at Newboro. Furthermore, by speeding up the work there, many were saved from disease and death from the malarial fever which raged before the water level rose over the swamps behind the new dams., The importance of this single lock is demonstrated by the blockhouse (one of four along the route) whose loopholes cover the lake and the surrounding hills as protection against those who in time of turmoil might seek to immobilize traffic by destroying the works., Between 1826 and 1832, an old Indian canoe route along the Rideau and Cataraqui Rivers was transformed at the command of the British government from untamed wilderness rivers into the Rideau Canal. The purpose of this remarkable artery was to provide the British army with a safe route for supplying its inland garrisons, avoiding the direct but exposed route along the St. Lawrence which only the disorganization of the American forces had prevented from being cut during the War of 18 12., The 202 km (126 miles) of waterway was made navigable by 47 locks grouped in 22 stations with their associated dams and weirs. The work was designed and superintended by the Royal Engineers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel John By; the actual construction was done by local contractors., Despite the blockhouses along the waterway, the role of the Rideau has always been peaceful. It was a busy waterway, carrying settlers and supplies into the growing settlement of the interior until the middle of the 19th century, when larger locks were opened on the St. Lawrence. At the same time, since the possibility of war between Britain and the United States was now unlikely, the British Board of Ordnance signed the system over to the colonial government of Canada in 1856. The period of the Canal's military administration was over., Local commercial traffic remained important until the advent of the automobile and better roads about the time of World War I. Since that time recreational boating has grown steadily so that now the system, well into its second century, is busier than ever., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . ,