Paddling — Flatwater.
Big Rideau Lake stretches roughly the length of the township as the largest lake on the Rideau Canal system at approximately 50 km², with through-canal paddling routes south via Newboro Lock to Newboro Lake and on through Chaffeys, Davis, and Jones Falls lockstations to Indian, Sand, and Opinicon Lakes. The chain forms one of the longest connected flatwater paddling corridors in eastern Ontario.
The brief.
The Rideau Canal navigation season runs roughly mid-May through mid-October, when all four lockstation groups in the township (Newboro, Chaffeys, Davis, Jones Falls) are staffed by Parks Canada. Paddlers passing through the locks pay locking-through fees per the Parks Canada fee schedule.
Big Rideau builds chop in strong winds — open-water sections call for stronger paddling skills — while the smaller connected lakes south of Newboro Lock are more sheltered. Public boat launches are available at multiple township-managed sites; Murphys Point Provincial Park has water-access for paddlers entering Big Rideau from the south shore.
Otter Lake and parts of the canal corridor inside the township also offer flatwater for canoes, kayaks, and SUPs.
6. places.
- 01
Big Rideau Lake
Approximately 50 km², the largest lake on the Rideau Canal system; primary launch via Murphys Point Provincial Park on the south shore and via township-managed boat launches.
- 02
Newboro Lake
Connected to Upper Rideau via Newboro Lock and to Indian Lake via Chaffeys Lock; flatwater paddling on the canal corridor.
- 03
Indian Lake
Connected to Newboro via Chaffeys Lock; on the canal corridor between Newboro and Sand Lake.
- 04
Sand Lake
Connected canal lake south of Indian Lake via Davis Lock.
- 05
Opinicon Lake
Connected canal lake south of Sand Lake via Jones Falls Lock; the southernmost of the major canal lakes within the township.
- 06
Otter Lake
Smaller canal-corridor lake on the township paddling network.
Today's read.
Temperature (5.8°C) below the typical range.