Community Update: Repairs are Now Complete

February 16, 2018 – Since October 2016, Parks Canada has been undertaking heritage masonry repairs at Narrows Lock 35 located on the Rideau Canal National Historic Site. Major repairs to the lock are now complete.

The contractor has demobilized from site and will return in the spring to revitalize the lawn and surrounding area.

The Narrows Lock 35 project focused on restoring the historic stone masonry at this site. Originally built in the early 1800s, the project staff went to great lengths to find matching sandstone to preserve the historic characteristics of the stonework. Work focused on grouting, repointing and stone replacement throughout the lock, as well as on the wing walls and monoliths. In order to complete the work, the lock gates were removed so that the monoliths that support the gates could be repaired. This week, the project finished with the gates being lifted into place and reinstalled on the monoliths.

By completing this historic masonry work at Narrows Locks, Parks Canada is ensuring the public may continue to enjoy this site for years to come. These historic investments will mitigate health and safety risks, halt the loss of nationally significant built heritage and stimulate the economy in communities across the country.

About Narrows Lock 35

In 1830, Colonel By developed a plan to build a dam and lock across the Upper Narrows forming a new lake – Upper Rideau Lake. The lock was built on a solid rock foundation with gate sluices on both the upper and lower gates. The gates were created with oak sills bolted to rock. A dam was built on either side of the lock, and a waste weir included on the south side of the lock. In the early 1830s a blockhouse was built at the site.

Gates being reinstalled at Narrows Lock 35