Saint-Ours Canal National Historic Site of Canada

More Information

Technical Fact Sheet

Aerial view of Darvard Island, dam and fishway
© Parks Canada / M. Faubert

Draught: 3.66 m (12 ft.)
Clearance: 8.84 m (29 ft.)
Lock dimensions: 99.06 m (325 ft.) X 12.04 m (39 ft.)

Because of fixed bridges and overhead power lines, vessels with masts exceeding 8 m must unmast at Saint-Paul-de-l'Île-aux-Noix located upstream of the Saint-Ours Canal or at Sorel located downstream of the Saint-Ours Canal.

Nautical Itineraries

Here are a few nautical itineraries and their approximate distances between towns along the route. These circuits will take you through most of the Northeastern inland waterways including the Chambly, Saint-Ours, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Lachine (restrictions may apply), Carillon and Rideau Canals.

Downstream view of Darvard Island
© Parks Canada / J. Bergeron

Estimated Nautical Distances

Montreal to Sorel = 70 km
Sorel to Chambly = 70 km
Chambly to Lake Champlain = 55 km
Chambly to New York = 520 km
Montreal to Québec = 250 km
Montreal to Ottawa = 180 km
Montreal to Kingston = 275 km
Montreal to Toronto = 500 km

Estimated Nautical Circuits

Montreal, Ottawa, Rideau Canal, Kingston, St. Lawrence River, Montreal = 655 km

Montreal, Chambly, Lake Champlain, Champlain Canal, Erie Canal, Oswego Canal, St. Lawrence River, Montreal = 1000 km

Montreal, Chicago, Mississippi, Miami, New York, Chambly, Montreal = 7 500 km

Duration

For a boat traveling at 30 to 40 km/h

Montreal to New York - 5 days

Montreal to the Rideau Canal and returning by the St. Lawrence Seaway - 7 days

Le Grand Circuit Nautique omitting the Rideau Canal (returning by the St. Lawrence Seaway) - 2 weeks

Le Grand Circuit Nautique including the Rideau Canal - 3 weeks

Regional Attractions

Rest area Saint-Ours Canal
© Parks Canada / Jean Mercier

Come and visit this ingeniously designed contemporary lock and dam, which have been built on either side of Darvard Island. Pathways winding through the underbrush provide opportunities to observe the plants and wildlife of the site. Picnic grounds and observation points for watching the pleasure boats come through the locks are located at various points around the island. Come while away some pleasurable time under the shade of our magnificent trees. Visit the impressive multispecies fish ladder then stroll along the interpretation trail and explore the exhibit at the superintendant's house to discover the history of the St-Ours Canal.