Smiths Falls Detached Lockstation

At Detached Lockstation, both a road and railway cross the canal. A swing bridge carries the road across the excavated channel. © Parks Canada

97,1 km – 97,4 km

Smiths Falls Detached Lockstation is located on the south side of the river and is at the west end of a 300-m excavated channel. A concrete stoplog weir crosses the river, creating a slackwater section to Poonamalie Lockstation. A prominent feature just to the west of Smiths Falls Detached is the Sherzer Rolling Bascule Bridge. This historic railway bridge is a national historic site of Canada. It is, however, not included in the property because the Parks Canada Agency does not own it.

The turning basin, just upstream from the lock, is today a busy boat harbour. Originally it served commercial and military vessels. © Parks Canada

The lock chamber at Detached Lockstation, dewatered in the spring, with the lockstation office to the left. In the background, the massive Scherzer Rolling Bascule Bridge, now a national historic site of Canada, allowed for vessels to pass under the railway. © Parks Canada

Smiths Falls Detached to Poonamalie Lockstation

97,4 km – 102,2 km

The Swale’, a slackwater section of the Rideau River, was a result of the construction of the dam at Detached Lockstation.

For much of the distance between Smiths Falls Detached and Poonamalie, the slackwater section is an important wetland area, ‘The Swale’. © Parks Canada

From the Swale, access to Poonamalie, named by soldiers for a duty station in India, is by way of an excavated channel. © Parks Canada