A Waterfall Upon The River

The Hog's Back Falls can be found just to the north of Mooney's Bay, where the Rideau River and Rideau Canal part ways as they head into the heart of the city en route to the Ottawa River. Taking their name from an engineer's description of the rocks, the river tumbles through this small gorge in a series of chutes and plunge falls, modified by the work of men who were building the Canal. Naturally speaking, this area looked different before damming of the river altered the shape of the falls. It is set in a park that allows for viewpoints from both sides. I was down here in late June photographing at the nearby Dragon Boat Festival, which I covered in a post at my writer's blog at the time. I decided to stop here as well.

This view looks downstream- the river itself pours out of the gorge on the right. The water levels were low when I visited, as some of those rocks downstream tend to be underwater at higher levels.

There are a number of historical plaques and display panels set in various spots along the course of the falls detailing the natural and human history of this area.

I took these views of the gorge from the bridge crossing over the dam.

On the east side, you get a different perspective of the waterfalls. It's a lovely place to visit.

The Waterfall In The Ravine: A Visit To The Hog's Back Falls

On the last Sunday in June, I stopped down at Mooney's Bay to take in the Dragon Boat Festival. The bay is a wide portion of the Rideau River which also marks where the river and the Rideau Canal part ways as both move through the heart of the city towards their outlets at the Ottawa River. Here the river tumbles through a ravine as the Hog's Back Falls. The area around the falls is parkland which allows views of the torrent from both sides, and the water flow depends on which portion of the dam beyond it is open. Ducks and geese can be glimpsed in some upper pools and around the rocks. 

I took some videos while over on the west side, which you can view here, here, and here.

The river emerges out of the ravine as a series of rapids heading downstream, finally calming down near Carleton University.

Views Of The Waterfalls

Here are some more views from Hog's Back Falls and the parkland around it.

Heading back the way I came, I took late day shots of the Rideau Canal and St. John the Baptist Ukranian Catholic Shrine.

Tumbling Through

Hog's Back Falls offers good views on both sides. The water is low at the moment, but looks different in other seasons. 

Crossing over the bridge gives different views of the ravine.

Here on the east side, I noticed a couple of ducks perched along one of the waterways.

To The Falls

Early this month, I went down to Hog's Back Falls one evening. I took the route by the Rideau Canal- in this first shot, we have a glimpse back at St. John The Baptist Ukranian Catholic Shrine, which I showed you earlier in the month. The second shot features the lockmaster station at the Hog's Back Locks.

Passing those locks brings us to Mooney's Bay, which is where the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal split for the last time on their routes through the city towards the Ottawa River.

The parkland around here is popular with the birds.

The reason for the river and canal going their separate ways? Two waterfalls on the river, one of which is here. Hog's Back Falls emerges from the spillway and into the ravine at this site. The area around it is parkland, well worth a visit on both sides. I have more from here over the next two days.