Hog's Back Falls

The Hog's Back Falls, officially known as the Prince of Wales Falls, but rarely referred to by this name, are a series of artificial waterfalls on the Rideau River in Ottawa, Canada. The falls are located just north of Mooney's Bay and the point where the Rideau Canal splits from the Rideau River.

Prior to the construction of the Rideau Canal, these were a gentle set of rapids originally known as Three Rock Rapids. The name Hog's Back came into use shortly before canal construction. Civil Engineer John MacTaggart, in 1827, described them as “a noted ridge of rocks, called the Hog’s Back, from the circumstances of raftsmen with their wares [timber rafts] sticking on it in coming down the stream.” These rapids were about 600 metres (2 000 feet) in length with a drop of about 1.8 metres (6 feet). They were navigable by canoe, no portage was required.

As part of his concept for a slackwater navigation system, Lt. Colonel John By's design for the Rideau Canal called for a large dam to be raised in this location. It would divert water from the Rideau River into the artificially-created section of the canal leading to the Ottawa locks. It would also flood the Three Island Rapids located upstream (the head of present day Mooney's Bay marks the foot of these rapids).

The building of this dam provided one of the greatest construction challenges (it collapsed 3 times during construction) of the Rideau Canal, but when completed in 1831 it flooded the Rideau River at that point by 12.5 metres (41 feet). To accommodate the natural flow of the Rideau River and to prevent damage from spring flooding, a large waste water weir was constructed. The water from this flows though a channel that was excavated in the eastern bank of the Rideau River. This created the Hogs Back Falls that we see today.

The head of the original rapids is now buried beneath the canal dam, but the lower section of the rapids can still be seen today.

This location marks where the route of the Rideau Canal leaves the Rideau River and enters a man made canal leading to the Ottawa locks. A series of locks lowers boats from this location to the Ottawa River.

External links

Шаблон:Commons category Шаблон:Geolinks-Canada-streetscale

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Logan Miller
10 October 2016
One of the best places to go for a walk in Ottawa. So close to downtown but so in the middle of nature.
Yumna Arif
8 August 2015
Great place for fresh air, picnic or just some quiet time for contemplation. Beautiful.
Chris Thwaites
3 September 2014
Amazing view and photo opportunities. Perfect place to chillax and bring a picnic
Reena B-S
11 August 2014
During the summer you can get ice cream at the pavilion.
Joanne Taylor
9 October 2012
Great photo opportunities. The animals are very friendly. Bring some bird food and have them land on your hands.
Ken Keelan
7 July 2011
Beautiful sights and a very friendly and natural atmosphere. Truly a park for all occasions.
Load more comments
foursquare.com
8.4/10
21,034 people have been here
Map
590 Hog's Back Road, Ottawa, ON K2C 1N5, Canada Get directions
Fri 10:00 AM–11:00 AM
Sat 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
Sun 8:00 AM–8:00 PM
Mon 11:00 AM–9:00 PM
Tue 10:00 AM–11:00 AM
Wed 2:00 PM–9:00 PM

Hogs Back Falls/Prince of Wales Falls on Foursquare

Hog's Back Falls on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Albert at Bay Suite Hotel

starting $230

Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre

starting $292

Delta Hotels by Marriott Ottawa City Centre

starting $249

Alt Hotel Ottawa

starting $128

Best Western Plus Ottawa Downtown Suites

starting $233

The Business Inn

starting $84

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Heron Road Bridge

The Heron Road Bridge is a bridge in Ottawa Canada. It connects

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Bank Street Bridge

The Bank Street Bridge, officially known as the Bank Street Canal

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Pretoria Bridge

The Pretoria Bridge is a lift bridge in Ottawa, Canada. It crosses the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Place de Ville

Place de Ville is a complex of office towers in downtown Ottawa. It

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Canadian War Museum

The Canadian War Museum (CWM) (Musée canadien de la guerre (MCG)) is

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Library and Archives Canada

Library and Archives Canada (in French: Bibliothèque et Archives

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Corktown Footbridge

The Corktown Footbridge (French: Passerelle Corktown), also referred

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Confederation Park

Confederation Park (French: Parc de la Confédération) is a park in d

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Niagara Falls

The Niagara Falls are voluminous waterfalls on the Niagara River,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Goðafoss

The Goðafoss (Icelandic: waterfall of the gods or waterfall of the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Garganta del Diablo

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss is one of the most famous waterfalls of Iceland. It is

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Gljúfrabúi (Gljúfrabúi / Gljúfrafoss)

Gljúfrabúi (Gljúfrabúi / Gljúfrafoss) is a tourist attraction, one

See all similar places