Ottawa International Antique & Classic Boat Show set for Rideau Ferry
The show is returning to Rideau Ferry this year, and will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2016 from 10 am - 4 pm. This is a non-judged event, and all wooden boat owners along the Rideau Canal system are invited and very welcome to participate. (membership in the Manotick Classic Boat Club is not required)
Click here to see the information sheet and registration form for the show. Anyone interested is reminded to register early, as dock and land display space is limited, and will be assigned on a first come basis.
"Around the Rideau" May/June edition of RVCA Newsletter
Click here to read the most recent newsletter of the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority.
RVCA Reports on State of Middle Rideau Subwatershed
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority has recently published a report on the Middle Rideau Subwatershed. This report summarizes the subwatershed’s health by looking at four indicators: forests, wetlands, shorelines and water quality.
The Middle Rideau is in the middle of the Rideau system and drains over 825 square kilometres. Water flows from the higher, rocky Rideau Lake Subwatershed into the flatter, farmland of the Middle Rideau Subwatershed. The subwatershed includes communities such as Jasper, Lombardy, Smiths Falls, Merrickville and Motts Mills. Water flows through the Middle Rideau on to the Lower Rideau at Burritts Rapids.
Click here for a link to the report.
Lake supporter Lamont Brown passes away
We were saddened to learn this week that Lamont Brown has passed away. Lamont was a very well-known gentleman in the community, and a respected contractor for many years around Big Rideau Lake. He was a long-time friend of the lake; for 37 years his familiar red barge was seen every spring and fall on Big Rideau as he set and removed the BRLA shoal markers.
There will be a Celebration of Lamont's life this Friday, June 10th, 1:00 -4:00 PM, at the Portland Legion.
The family has very kindly suggested anyone wishing to make a donation in Lamont's memory be directed to the Big Rideau Lake Association. You are invited to visit the Donations page on our website to do so online, or you can mail your donation to PO Box 93, Portland, ON, K0G 1V0. If you would like a tax receipt for your donation, please direct it to the Rideau Lakes Environmental Foundation (RLEF); otherwise, it can be directed to the BRLA.
Poonamalie Dam Upgrade Complete
Parks Canada announced this week that major repairs at Poonamalie Dam at Lock 32 have been complete.
The Poonamalie earth dam and weir restrain the waters of the Rideau Lakes and are essential to both public safety and water management downstream.
Work got underway in December of 2014. The height of the dam was increased and its structure stabilized along its 660m length. The work will significantly reduce water seepage through the dam so as to not risk to dam performance. Guard rails were also added to make the site safer.
More work is planned in coming years as part of a $103.3 million Parks Canada infrastructure initiative, to preserve and restore this historic earth dam.
Safe Boating Checklist
With the beginning of the summer boating season, its a good time to review some of the basics of safe boating. All boats are required to carry safety equipment but what exactly must be carried depends on the size and type of boat; items required on a typical vessel 6 meters or less in length include:
- A Canadian approved flotation device, lifejacket or PFD, in good repair and of appropriate size for every person on board.
- The vessels license or registration certificate if powered by a motor of 7.5 kw (10 hp) or more.
- Fire extinguisher (depending on type of engine, gas tank or cooking appliances on board).
- Watertight flashlight or pyrotechnic distress signal requirements (flares).
- Sound signaling device.
- Buoyant heaving line (minimum 15 meters in length).
- Paddle or anchor with at least 15 meters of rode and /or chain.
- Re-boarding device.
- Bailer or manual water pump.
- Navigation lights.
For Transport Canada's full Safe Boating Guide, click here.
Canadian Power Squadrons has partnered with Transport Canada and CIL Dealers on a project on education and awareness of safety equipment, the care and maintenance of that equipment and how to safely and effectively use and dispose of flares.
If your flares have a manufacture date of 2012 or earlier they have or will expire this year. Flares are approved for four years from the date of manufacture. If they have expired or will expire during this boating season, you must replace them... it's the law!
However, disposing of expired flares has been an ongoing dilemma for boaters across the country. You can't light them, throw them in the water or in your household garbage to dispose of them. To help boaters dispose of expired flares in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, CPS-ECP and selected CIL Dealers are hosting Safety Equipment Education and Flare Disposal Days where boaters will have an opportunity to learn about required safety equipment and can bring outdated flares to be properly disposed of, free of charge.
Various locations across Canada will host these events this summer. Local dates include June 4 at Fogh Marine in Toronto and June 10/11 at The Chandlery in Ottawa. Click here for full list of dates and locations, and more detailed information.