Paddling trip: Rideau Canal downtown
COME PADDLE THE RIDEAU CANAL IN OTTAWA ON NATIONAL CANOE DAY
Thursday, June 26, 2025
10 am
Leader: Arn and Jan Snyder
The Paddle: The MVFN paddle will follow the western shoreline of the Rideau Canal between the Hogs Back Lock and Dow’s Lake.
Arrangements have been made with Parks Canada to be locked through the two Hartwells Locks at no charge. It will take approximately 20 minutes to go through the locks.
The western shoreline is federally owned and has been allowed, for the most part, to develop naturally given its inner city location. This part of the canal is bordered by the Canadensis Botanical Garden, The Fletcher Wildlife Garden and the Arboretum. The canal has three small inlets which we can explore.
Paddlers will be provided with a list of 41 birds that have been observed over the years.
Start time is 10:00 AM. We will paddle the canal between Hogs Back Lock and Hartwells (approximately 1 km), then go through the two Hartwells Locks and continue to follow the western shoreline to the Dow’s Lake Pavilion (approximately 1 1/2 km). We will then return to the put-in to have lunch at 1:00 PM. Washrooms and coffee will be available at 1230 Lampman Crescent.
Everyone is welcome to remain at the put-in for the afternoon, however we are mindful that some may want to leave before the traffic gets heavy.
Launch Site Info: The put-in will be the dock at 1230 Lampman Crescent, Ottawa, Jan and Arn Snyder’s home There will be two STRONG university students to help you unload/load your canoe/kayak. Please arrive before 9:30 as only one boat can be put in at a time.
Parking Info: The laneway can hold 10 vehicles and there is on-street parking. Vehicles with trailers should park on the street.
Directions: Take the 417 east into Ottawa, exit at Maitland (south). Turn left on Baseline Road and then turn right on Prince of Wales, turn left on Maryland and almost immediately turn left on Lampman, (1230 Lampman Crescent).
Note: unfortunately the traffic can be busy in the morning so please take that into consideration.
There is no rain date as that is the date we have permission to go through the locks.
Bring: lunch, bug juice, binoculars, sunscreen, etc.
Ensure you are equipped with life jacket, bailing bucket, whistle, heaving line, extra paddle, etc.
Registration: You must pre-register for this event by completing the form found here. Registration is limited to 25 people and/or 16 vessels. In order to give everyone a chance, priority will be given to members who have not paddled on June 07, until Saturday June 14th at noon. Then all registrations will be processed in order.
MVFN membership must be up-to-date (check your membership card). You can update and pay for your membership on the MVFN website. You may bring a friend or two, subject to the approval of the trip leader.
In case of severe weather, this event will be cancelled. If in doubt, contact Arn Snyder before 8 A.M.
For further information, contact Arn by EMAIL
Arn and Jan Snyder: 613-277-8648
Our next trip will be on July 12, 2025. Bennet Lake