The Rideau Waterway plaque, Canadian Heritage River system, Smiths Falls

Description

Comments (0)

Media Type

Object

Image

Item Type

Photographs

Description

Located in Centennial Park, near Confederation Drive and Old Mill Street.

Notes

See the Pages box at top of this record and click the downward pointing select arrow to see the text of the plaque.

For further information see - Glenn J. Lockwood. "Smiths Falls: A Social History of the Men and Women in a Rideau Canal Community 1794-1994." Smiths Falls: Corporation of the Town of Smiths Falls, 1994.

Inscriptions

The plaque reads: "The Canadian Heritage River system / February 2000 / The Rideau Waterway / The Rideau Waterway stretches 202 kilometres through a chain of lakes, rivers and canals, linking Smiths Falls, the heart of the Rideau, to the historic city of Kingston on Lake Ontario and to Ottawa, Canada's capital. To follow the Rideau Waterway is not only a trip through some of the most picturesque countryside in eastern Ontario but also a voyage through history. / The Rideau Canal National Historic Site, the core of the Rideau Waterway, was built between 1826 and 1832. It is the oldest continuously operating canal in North America. Originally conceived as a key part of a military defence system for Upper Canada (now Ontario), it soon became a route for local trade and luxury steamers. The Rideau Canal is considered one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century. Thirty one locks raise vessels 83 meters from the Ottawa River to the height of the land, south of here at Newboro on the Upper Rideau Lake, and 14 locks lower vessels to Lake Ontario at Kingston. The tradition of hand-operating the locks and swing bridges continues at most of the lockstations, but one of the few electronically operated locks on the system can be seen from here. Along the Rideau one finds a unique blend of wildlife, city life and country life, of past and present, nature and culture. Designation of the Rideau River as a Canadian Heritage River not only is a testimony to its significance as a national treasure, but also will ensure stewardship and wise management of the waterway, and will safeguard the integrity of its unique resources for all time."

Subject(s)