We awoke to rain again and a forecast of 100% chance of rain until early afternoon. But having to make progress to meet some mechanics in Kingston tomorrow, we set forth and crossed the length of Whitefish Lake, followed a river-like canal to Little Cranberry Lake, which connected to Cranberry Lake. At the end of Cranberry Lake, we entered a canal that brought us to Upper Brewers Locks 43 & 44 (down 18 feet) and then in the same stretch a mile later to Lower Brewers Lock 45 (down 13 feet).
Even though it was pouring rain nearly all this time, the lock tenders – mostly student Parks Canada workers – were cheerful and friendly, even when soaking wet muddy ropes were tossed at them. Leaving the Brewers locks, we entered the Cataraqui River – a river with very shallow (we had readings of less than 1 foot below our keel at multiple points) with deceptively wide lake-like vistas – but, thank goodness, had clearly marked channels, even if frighteningly shallow. Part of the Cataraqui is called the River Styx ending at Charon Point – clearly some mythology buff found the flooded dammed-up forests of the 19th century to be a downer. Caution to those vessels that veer from the path – the stumps remain under the water and could ruin your whole day if you encounter one.
After the Styx River portion, the Cataraqui widens to form Colonel By Lake and passes on to the Kingston Mills Locks 46, 47, 48 and 49 (down 48 feet) which was the final drop down to the level of Lake Ontario.
After these locks, the Cataraqui River then continues down to the shores of Kingston, Ontario (formerly known as Cataraqui) – the former military stronghold for Upper Canada, now a picturesque university city on Lake Ontario. We have completed the 125 miles of the Rideau Canal from Ottawa – and Salty seems to have been able to handle it (with the ever present aches and pains).
Our arrival in Kingston was greeted by sun and blue skies as we parked at the Kingston Confederation Basin Marina. But we’re staying until Saturday to meet up with the mechanics – and may take some time to prepare and provision for the Trent-Severn Waterway next week.
