Yes, it’s cold, but don’t go on the Rideau Canal ice surface

A red flag signals that the Rideau Canal Skateway is closed. (Aaron Reid/CTV News Ottawa)

An early December cold snap brings to mind that common Ottawa refrain, “It’s good for the Canal.”

But the National Capital Commission (NCC) is warning residents and visitors that the ice surface is nowhere near ready for the public, despite the fact that workers might be walking on it.

“Do not go onto the Rideau Canal ice surface,” the NCC said on social media on Thursday. “The presence of work crews on the canal in the coming days should not be taken as a sign that the ice surface is stable.”

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The NCC says Rideau Canal Skateway workers are professionals who know how to manage the risks associated with walking on the ice, even if it’s thin.

“The water level beneath the ice surface varies from 1 m (3 ft) to 4.3 m (14 ft) deep between downtown Ottawa and Dow’s Lake,” the NCC said on its website. “The Rideau Canal Skateway will open when the ice is deemed of good quality, suitable and safe for the general public.”

Generally, the NCC says the ice should be at least 30 cm thick, though some exceptions have been made in exceptional circumstances.

The most recent skating season was the busiest on the Canal in six years, with more than 1.1 million visits.

The Rideau Canal Skateway opened Jan. 11 and closed for the season on March 10 after 52 skating days, making it the longest skating season since the 49th season, which began Dec. 30, 2018, and went until March 10, 2019.

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