Sitting at the confluence of Ottawa River and Rideau River, Ottawa is not only the political center of Canada but also home to the Rideau Canal, a 125-mile waterway connecting the capital all the way south to Lake Ontario. Led by British military engineer Colonel John By, its construction was originally intended as a defense strategy to ensure safe passage between Montréal and Kingston, in the event of attacks from the United States following the War of 1812. Nonetheless, no active engagements between the two countries took place since its completion in 1832, and the canal was instead repurposed for commercial shipping until freight moved to railways.
Today, the Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular waterway for recreational boating. It remains the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America. Its historic locks, many still hand operated, are an engineering marvel to behold.
