The
Rideau Canal, also known unofficially as the
Rideau Waterway, connects the city of
Ottawa,
Ontario,
Canada, on the
Ottawa River to the city of
Kingston, Ontario, on
Lake Ontario. It is 202 kilometres in length. The name
Rideau, French for "curtain," is derived from the curtain-like appearance of the
Rideau River's twin waterfalls where they join the Ottawa River. The canal system uses sections of two rivers, the Rideau and the
Cataraqui, as well as several lakes. The Rideau Canal is operated by
Parks Canada.