Ottawa residents and tourists may have a chance to cool off in Dows Lake this summer, as the National Capital Commission (NCC) explores the idea of allowing swimming in the Ottawa waterway. A new recreational dock is set to open in May along Queen Elizabeth Driveway near Lakeside Avenue, as part of new attractions in the Dows Lake and Commissioners Park Area. The NCC says the new recreational dock will be used for launching kayaks and paddleboards into the water at Dows Lake, and swimming may be allowed later this summer. “The dock will offer space to relax by the water or launch non-motorized watercraft,” the NCC said on its website. “Pending testing results, swimming may be introduced later in the season as an unsupervised activity.” “We are really lucky to have so much access to our shorelines. And what we’ve heard from people is that they want to spend more time here. They want to sit out in a chair and read a book or picnic with friends. They want to launch a paddleboard or a kayak,” says NCC real estate advisor Jen Halsall. Halsall says it should not take long to know if people would be able to swim in the area. “We have that easy pivot so it could accommodate that use if we decide to go that way. If the water testing, works out,” Halsall says. “We’ll know a lot about the water very shortly.” The dock will have Muskoka chairs for people to sit and bike racks. A universally accessible portable washroom will be available near the dock. The NCC says the dock’s location was chosen due to the “greater water depth, less aquatic vegetation, water quality, and easy access to the multi-use pathway.” The NCC says the docks and safety equipment will cost $240,000. “The full cost of the project including the extensive studies we conducted for the water quality will be known at a later date,” the NCC said in a statement. A new Summer Zone will also be opening near Dows Lake this summer. Dows Lake is located on the Rideau Canal between the Ottawa Locks and the Hartwell/Hog’s Back Logs. According to the Dows Lake Pavilion website, swimming is not currently allowed in Dows Lake. The Parks Canada website says “no diving, jumping, scuba-diving or swimming” is allowed in the Rideau Canal navigation channel or within 40 metres of a lock gate. With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Peter Szperling
