The Rideau Canal is one of the defining features of the National Capital Region. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a national historic site of Canada, and a Canadian heritage river. Residents and visitors alike cherish the beauty and recreational opportunities this waterway brings to the city.
The National Capital Commission (NCC), Parks Canada, and the City of Ottawa commissioned Matrix Heritage to produce a cultural landscape study for the Ottawa urban section of the Rideau Canal corridor, known as the Ottawa Reach. Presented to the City of Ottawa’s Built Heritage Committee in July 2026, the study is an important tool that will support the three partner organizations in the stewardship and management of the canal and its surroundings.
Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of each partner organization:
About the study
The Rideau Canal Cultural Landscape Study – Ottawa Reach is a guiding document that outlines the heritage values and character-defining elements of the Ottawa Reach of the Rideau Canal. It also provides guidance on how these heritage features can be protected, enhanced, and celebrated for the benefit of current and future generations.
The study focuses on the Rideau Canal itself, its immediate surroundings, and adjacent areas that have a significant influence on the canal’s cultural landscape.
Study area
The study area covers approximately 8.5 kilometres of the Rideau Canal within Ottawa’s urban core. It stretches from the Ottawa Locks at the Ottawa River in the north to the Hog’s Back Locks and Falls in the south.
The map below illustrates the study area in yellow.
Character Areas
In addition to identifying the overall heritage values, character-defining elements, and conservation guidance for the Ottawa Reach as a whole, the study identifies seven distinct Character Areas, each with its own attributes and area-specific ways to help conserve what makes these sections of the Canal special:
Entrance Valley
With its iconic views and well‑preserved historic landscape, Entrance Valley served as the Rideau Canal’s administrative and transportation hub. It reflects both early 19th‑century waterway travel and later railway development in Canada’s Capital.
Plaza
This area illustrates the Rideau Canal’s evolution from a military waterway to a recreational and cultural destination. Landmark buildings, bridges, and green spaces such as Confederation Park contribute to its role as a vibrant gathering space for public events and community life.
Laurier to Bronson
Known for its innovative canal engineering used along the Deep Cut and Mutchmor’s Cut, this section helped shape Ottawa’s urban development. Its scenic and recreational qualities are defined by parkways, natural features, and unique sections like Patterson Creek Park and Brown’s Inlet.
Dow’s Lake
An outstanding example of the Canal’s original slackwater technology, Dow’s Lake has strong cultural and social associations through seasonal festivals, and its scenic natural and designed landscapes support recreation and ecological diversity while offering iconic Capital experiences.
Hartwell’s and Hog’s Back
This area showcases the engineering ingenuity required to overcome challenging terrain. Distinctive locks, dams, natural features, military heritage, and evolving Capital landscapes create a rich and memorable visitor experience.
Queen Elizabeth Driveway
Ottawa’s first scenic parkway, Queen Elizabeth Driveway was created to enhance the beauty of the Capital. Its attractive design and picturesque landscapes, combined with its long-standing role as a recreational corridor linking key green spaces, continue to shape the character of the surrounding neighbourhoods and public spaces.
Colonel By and Echo Drives
Developed as part of broader Capital beautification and ceremonial planning efforts, these scenic drives offer magnificent views of the Rideau Canal and have influenced the surrounding residential development and the area’s strong architectural and experiential qualities.
The Study at Work
Even before the study’s completion, the NCC has been using it to guide projects and inform interventions along the Rideau Canal in downtown Ottawa aiming to protect its heritage value and character. Some of these projects include the following:
Patterson Creek Bridge Rehabilitation
This picturesque stone bridge spanning Patterson Creek, distinguished by its wrought-iron railings, is a gem in the Rideau Canal landscape. The bridge was constructed by the Ottawa Improvement Commission as part of its early efforts to beautify the Queen Elizabeth Driveway.
Learn more about the Patterson Creek Bridge Rehabilitation Project.
Recreational Dock at Dow’s Lake
Water-based recreation is part of the living history of Dow’s Lake, and swimming has now returned to this iconic destination! Visitors can enjoy some refreshment in this beautiful setting, with views of the Arboretum and Commissioners Park.
Find out more about the Dow’s Lake Recreational Dock.
Rideau Canal Lighting Rehabilitation
Great care was taken when rehabilitating the iconic aggregate luminaires and ‘lollipop’ lamps along the Rideau Canal, both of which are character-defining elements of the Queen Elizabeth Driveway and Colonel By Drive.
Learn more about the Rideau Canal Lighting Rehabilitation Project.
Engagement
Indigenous Engagement
The histories and perspectives of the Algonquin Nation are integral to understanding the cultural landscape of the Rideau Canal’s Ottawa Reach.
Engagement with the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation (AOPFN) and the Algonquins of Ontario took place throughout 2024 and 2025. This included a presentation on the project at an in-person meeting of the Algonquin Advisory Committee, organized by the AOPFN Consultation Office and supported through a collaboration agreement.
Through this engagement, several key areas of interest were identified, including:
- conservation of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife;
- water quality;
- protection of culturally significant plant species;
- increased visibility of Algonquin history and culture; and
- protection of spiritual, archaeological, and heritage places along the Rideau Canal
Building on this work, the NCC, Parks Canada, and the City of Ottawa will continue to engage with the Algonquin Nation, in line with their respective mandates, as part of ongoing management of the Ottawa Reach and future projects.
Public Participation
The study’s engagement activities gathered input from local communities, stakeholders, and the broader public through an online survey, two public engagement kiosks, and stakeholder meetings.
More than 335 people participated in kiosks held in November 2023 at the Minto Recreation Complex and the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park. The online Rideau Canal Cultural Landscape Survey, open from November 17 to December 8, 2023, received 2,640 responses. Additional online discussions with community groups, businesses, and property owners in the study area took place in September 2023 and February 2024.
The following public engagement themes emerged:
- The corridor is important for multi-modal transportation.
- Environmental concerns should inform decision making.
- Green space is important for relaxation and recreation.
- The Rideau Canal is an important landmark.
- The Rideau Canal’s history should be recognized and preserved.
- The corridor’s natural beauty should be preserved.
Public and stakeholder participation were important elements in the development of the Rideau Canal Cultural Landscape Study – Ottawa Reach. Feedback provided through the engagement program informed the study’s conclusions and recommendations.
A comprehensive review of engagement activities is available in Appendix 9 of the study.
About the Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal was constructed between 1826 and 1832 under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel John By. It is 202 kilometres long, connecting Ottawa, the present-day capital of Canada, to Kingston, a former capital of the United Province of Canada in the 1800s. The canal combines natural river systems and engineered channels. Sets of canal locks and dams allow boats to navigate around waterfalls, swamps, and other obstacles.
Since 1925, the Rideau Canal has been a National Historic Site of Canada, managed by Parks Canada. It is the only canal from its time that still works and has many of its original structures. In 2000, the waterway was designated a Canadian Heritage River, and in 2007, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
