Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada

The History of the Rideau Canal

KINGSTON MILLS

Specifications of the Lockstation:

• four locks, each with a lift of 45' 0 " (13.7 m)

Other canal structures:

• dam, waste basin, turning basin, blockhouse, lockmaster's house, lock house

Construction of the Canal:

Kingston Mills at Dusk
©Parks Canada / Steve Weir / Rideau Canal

Kingston Mills is the most southerly station on the Rideau Canal. It is located on the Cataraqui River about 4.5 miles upstream from Kingston Harbour. Granite cliffs flank the southern approach to the lockstation and offer a reminder of the challenge of building a lockstation in the rough terrain of the Canadian Shield.

The water passing through Kingston Mills powered grist and sawmill operations that predated the canal, and milling operations continued after canal construction. Today, a small power generating station stands near the old mill site.

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