Rideau Canal Waterway - Old Slys


		Old Slys Locks 26-27

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(history) OLD SLYS Locks 26-27 (water map) (road map)
Number of locks: 2 (in flight)	Total Lift: 4.9m ( 16 ft.)	Lock Through Time: 30 min.*
Chart No: 1512 (Sheet 3)	GPS:¹ N 44^o 53.590' W 76^o 00.250'
Chart Sales: No	Lockstation Tel: (613) 283-2663
Washrooms: Yes²	Drinking Water: Yes³	Day Use Docking: No
Overnight Mooring: Yes	Docking⁴ Upstream: 61m/200'	Docking⁴ Downstream: 61m/200'
Ice: No	Power: No	Boater Camping:⁵ Yes
Boat Launch: No	Picnic Tables: Yes	BBQ Grills: Yes
Parking: Yes	Public Telephone: No	Self Guided Trail: No
Hwy Access: on Old Slys Road	Lock Connects: Rideau Canal Cut to Rideau River

Special Notes: To ensure passage, boaters must arrive at least 1 hour prior to closing. Swing bridge with a clearance of 2.2m (7.1 ft). Swings on demand EXCEPT on Monday to Friday (exluding holidays) when it will not swing between the hours of 11:55 - 12:15h and 12:45 - 13:00h.

Of Interest: Old Slys is a double lock, named after an early settler in the area, William Sly, who settled here in 1798. The CN rail line crosses the lockstation, a reminder of the importance Smiths Falls once serves as a railway hub. What appears to be a retaining wall below the road the crosses the locks, is actually the top of a 23 foot high dam (similar to that in Smiths Falls), placed in the main channel of the Rideau River. In the latter part of the 20th century, the area between the dam and the railroad was filled in. The Heritage House Museum is just a few metres south of the locks.

Notes: Closest gas is Rideau Ferry or Merrickville.

* Time to actually go through the locks. Allow at least twice this time when trip planning. See Schedule Caveats.
1) GPS data should not be used for navigation. See the GPS page.
2) Washrooms are wheel chair accessible.
3) Check with lockstation staff for potability of water.
4) Includes both blueline and greyline docking - see Lockstation Docking Page.
5) Allows tent camping for those arriving by water and also for cyclists and hikers.

Old Slys Locks looking SoutheastThe two locks at Old Slys form the eastern entrance to Smiths Falls. It is worth tying up and taking a walk to the Hershey's Chocolate Factory. The lock staff can give you directions.

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