July 25 – Long Island Locks
The Human Powered Swing Bridge
Only a couple of bridges at the locks on the Rideau System are automated. The single lane bridges at these locks are primarily constructed of wood and most of them have to be swung by hand.
If you ever thought your job was running you around in circles then you will have some empathy with this fellow & his colleagues.
Follow this link to a short video that I have posted on YouTube:
Cheers!
July 25 – Newsflash Long Island Locks
45°15′7″ N 75°42′10″ W
It’s been raining in the Ottawa area for several days now. It rained really heavy last night & it’s still coming down pretty hard. Apparently the amount of rainfall in the area has been setting some records.
A few days ago I was tied up at Hartwell Locks, which are beside Carleton University campus.
I just heard on CBC Ottawa radio that there is flooding at various locations throughout the city – including at Hartwell Locks, where the canal is overflowing onto the adjacent street.
I am currently docked below the dam at Long Island Locks.
If water starts to come over the dam wall then maybe it’s time for me to move.
Stay tuned 🙀
July 24 – Long Island
45°15′7″ N 75°42′10″ W
On Tuesday I moved Santosha about 5 NM further south from Black Rapids to the locks at Long Island. These locks are close to the town of Manoutick which is only a few minutes from Ottawa by car.
Rain was forecast for the entire day but thankfully if was limited to mostly drizzle while I was traveling.
There are 3 locks at Long Island – all joined together to achieve a total change in elevation of 25 feet.
I tied Santosha up at the dock beside the entrance of the lowest lock. It overflows like a waterfall when boats are goin through it.
Despite the rain there was a lot of boat traffic going up & down the locks so I had plenty of entertainment throughout the day.
Shortly after 4:00pm the Kawartha Voyager, a 120 foot long river cruise boat from Peterborourgh, Ontario tied up at the dock in front of the upper lock. This boat can carry 45 passengers plus the crew & has a series of scheduled cruises each summer on the Rideau Canal, the Trent – Severn & the Bay of Quinte.
The Kawartha Voyager has some very unique design features. Portions of the superstructure on the upper deck, including the wheelhouse, can be lowered several feet hydraulically to allow it to pass under fixed height bridges on the canals. The photo above shows the roof over the top back deck lowered down.
In addition, the bow of the boat can be “folded up” when it goes through the locks. This feature allows the boat to have several additional feet of deck space on the bow for guests to relax on.
The boat will go through the locks at 9:00am on Wednesday morning. I am lucky to have a front row seat to watch the passage.
Cheers!