Chambly Canal

Following an overnight at Rouse's Point, NY, we cleared Canadian Customs (incredibly simple)and started down the Richelieu River and through the Chambly Canal. The Chambly Canal, a Canadian Historic Site which opened in 1843, carries you around the rapids in the river, through picturesque countryside. The 20 km long Canal is very narrow and other than a few designated passing areas, has room for only one boat at a time. In some places, our boat cleared by only a foot or so on either side. We couldn't take a picture of the closest channel marker because we were holding our breath but took one of the next one. Boat traffic is strictly controlled by the lockmasters and they tell you where to hold to allow approaching boats to pass. On a good day, it takes about 4 hours to travel the 20 km of the Canal. The original towpath follows along between the canal and the river and is now used as a bike path and park. The Canal boasts a feature found no where else in Quebec (and probably no where in the USA) - 8 of the 9 locks and 3 of the bridges are still operated manually! It takes two people, working simultaneously, to open and close the lock doors. The bridges are swing bridges and are on wheels, moving much like a train engine in the roundhouse. Fascinating! The fee for a one-way passage through the Canal is $1.40 per foot, plus $1 per person aboard the boat. The fee is collected by the lockmaster at the first lock and may be paid with cash or credit card.