Rock Dunder, Lynhurst and the Whispering Dam – An Introduction to the Rideau Lakes
The Rideau Lakes and the Rideau Canal
On a stretch of Regional Road 15, between Ottawa and Kingston you will come across the Rideau Lakes Township. This rural area is known for its pristine farmers fields, tiny historic hamlets and hiking trail the Rideau River waterway where you will find parts of the historic Rideau Canal locks, ancient dams and military blockhouses.
The Rideau Canal is a 202km canal system connecting the Ontario cities of Kingston and Ottawa – the capital. Built for defensive and supply purposes along with fortifications such as Fort Henri in Kingston, the Rideau Canal played an important part deterring American aggression along the St. Lawrence border. In fact it was built as an alternate shipping route/bypass to the St. Lawrence that would be easier to defend than the St. Laurence. Its construction was supervised by Lieutenant-Colonel John By of the Royal Engineers and the UNESCO waterway is considered one of the most impressive works of engineering in Canada. Construction lasted from 1826 to 1832 and came at great cost overruns and loss of life.
This post includes an exploration of several places:
- Rideau Canal Lock #35
- Rock Dunder Nature Reserve
- Rideau Canal Locks #39-42 and the Whispering Dam
- The town of Lyndhurst
For more things to do in the Rideau Lakes check out my Part 2 post here.
Table of Contents
- The Rideau Lakes and the Rideau Canal
- Rideau Canal Lock #35 (The Narrows)
- Rock Dunder
- Rideau Locks #39-42 and the Whispering Dam (the Jones Falls Dam)
- Lyndhurst
- Conclusion
Rideau Canal Lock #35 (The Narrows)
One of many locks systems on the Rideau River, this one is fairly standard. It separates Big Rideau Lake and Upper Rideau Lake, a body of water that was once one. Before the construction of the lock this section narrowed to a width of about 45 m. An earth embankment was built and the flow into the lake is controlled by a singular lock and weir system. Its was completed in 1830.
The access road is built onto a 1898 swing bridge that crosses the lake.
Off to the side of the lockstation you will find a stone and wooden blockhouse dating from 1832.
Rock Dunder
Located in the Lyndherst subdivision of Leeds and the Thousand Islands, this popular hiking trail is an easy, yet scenic spot for the whole family. It consists of a 4.2km loop culminating on a rocky promontory overlooking the lake.
For those with dogs, pooches are welcome on this trail!
The trail starts in a wooded area on the east side of the lake.
It passes through marshy wetlands, with viewpoint between the trees.
You will also begin your climb and the soil starts to protrude with rocks and will give you a view of the marsh below.
Eventually the pathway will climb upwards sharply until you are above the trees. where you will be privy to great views of the forest below.
You are essentially standing on a giant rock outcropping at this point.
The most important part of this giant rock you stand on is the lookout with a great view of the Rideau Waterway/Lake below.
It is at its most beautiful in the fall.
You will also get views of the full Rideau Lakes basin as well.
As you return down from the rock you will be doing so by the lake itself, offering views of the water.
You will also find a wooden shack with a bench overlooking the lake.
From this shack you can head down towards the lake water.
So here you have it! When you make it to the bottom enjoy the waterfront and return up to the shack when you are down to complete the loop.
Rideau Locks #39-42 and the Whispering Dam (the Jones Falls Dam)
Located just north of Rock Dunder, near Jones Falls, this is the most formidable of the systems lock & dam system outside of the last leg to the Ottawa river, though Ottawa’s downtown itself. You can park your car and walk in, near the Whispering Dam, or down by the lower terminus of the locks. It has gained the “wispering” moniker due to the fact that the curved surface of the dam caries sound across it amplifying it, thus even your whispers may be heard by those on the other side! Be wary of what you say!
Overview of the Site
To help you understand the functioning of this system I have included an aerial map of all its elements below. (label jones falls, locks 1 and 2, sleice gates, inn, lockmasters house, parking lots)
Exploring the site
The Jones Falls dam was constructed to control as well as flood a series of rapids and falls that plagued this part of the Rideau Waterway working in conjunction to the nearby locks. It completed construction in 1832.
The curved stone wall of the dam is built in a rather unique way than what you see in most dams. Constructed by way of series of stone courses arranged to compress the rock on it natural rock inclines, a similar concept to Roman aqueduct building.
Past the stone dam you will find a sluice gate controlling the level of water in the upper lake.
In the summer, the former lock-masters home located on a hill above the locks serves as an exhibit room for items relating to the canal and its construction.
From this point you will get a great view of the watercourse below and an a bridge crossing it leading to an inn. It is near this inn that the second place to park your car.
At the time of my visit to the locks the water was lowered to make way for repairs. The locks are built in two sections, one at the height of the Jones dam, spilling into a reservoir and the built perpendicular to the previous lock back towards the watercourse. This lock system allows boats to be diverted from the now damned Jones falls, part of the original waterway.
By the first set of locks you will find a picnicking area.
Due to the extent of the construction you could even see the exposed sluice gate draining the massive second reservoir.
To access the second set of locks you will continue past the slice gate, now covered by a bridge and past a ridge overlooking the original water course.
The above mentioned inn is 130 years old in can be seen when walking to the second set of locks.
The elevation change is quite impressive on the second system and it consists of many gates.
Here are a few more pictures for your enjoyment!
Lyndhurst
Located just east of Rock Dunder the tiny hamlet of Lyndhurst is best known for its fantastic stone bridge, considered to be the oldest still in operation in Ontario. In the fall it is host to the Lyndhurst Turkey Fair, a thanksgiving celebration with hay rides and a turkey contest.
Founded by Wallis Sutherland, a Vermont founderer that was Ontario’s first successful Iron Smelter, in 1801. The city centered around the aptly named Furnace Falls along with his own furnace that eventually burnt down. You will find stone ruins just past the falls.
The stone bridge has its own heritage market on its west side.
The stone masonry consists of a full three spans sported by large archways. It was built in 1857 with a reno in 1986. It is still in regular use today.
Since the town was founded by a New-Englander it is no surprise that St Luke’s Anglican Church looks like it belongs in that part of the United-States.
Conclusion
The Rideau Lakes are not particularly well known, even among Canadians but within this scenic region you will find plenty to do. Beyond the natural beauty of the Rideau river lake and lock system, you have a collection of pretty towns waiting to be discovered!
