The Ottawa “Riviera”

ATONs, Anchorages, and Amenities What makes this river special? • Variety of rural anchorages to accommodate any wind direction • Ever-changing wind and weather – Gatineau Hills contribute to interesting weather patterns • Islands, including an archipelago • Pristine sand beaches • Historic estate • Helicopter pad • Wildlife: Deer, variety of birds, fishing • Hydroelectric dam • World-class sunsets Ottawa River - A Bit of History

• French: Rivière des Outaouais, Algonquin: Kitchissippi • Named in honour of the Algonquin word 'to trade', as it was the major trade route of Eastern Canada at the time • For most of its length, it defines the border between ON and QC

• It is a major tributary of the St. Lawrence River and the longest river in Quebec

• Explored in 1613 by Samuel de Champlain

• Chief route of explorers, fur traders, and missionaries to the upper Great Lakes

• When fur trade died out, logging became popular • White pine sought by Britain for wartime shipbuilding (late 1700s) and construction(up to early 1900s) History

Photos clockwise from upper left: Chats Falls – sailquest.com Fitzroy Harbour loggers – ottawariver.org Horaceville (Pinhey’s estate) – pinheyspoint.ca History continued

Clockwise from left: Britannia Boathouse (early 1900’s?) “The Chute” at Queen’s Park (1905) Britannia Yacht Club (1950’s) Photos: Britannia Yacht Club Ottawa River

• The navigable part of the Ottawa River is from the Deschênes Rapids to the Dam at Fitzroy, about 44 km (24 NM) of sailing. • Chart # 1550 (2 sheets) • The information in this presentation is an overview only and is not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a proper nautical chart. The Basics

• Emergencies: Call 911 and ask for Ottawa Fire Water Rescue • NOTE: They rescue PEOPLE, not boats. They will not tow you off Blueberry Shoal.

• Depth varies: Navigable area ranges from 10 ft to >100 ft

• A Bruce, plough, or CQR-type anchor will meet most of your anchoring needs

• Having 15-20ft minimum of chain increases your holding

• Generally negligible current – strongest in spring (~2-3 kn) • Can be noticeable at Mohr Island buoy where the river narrows Lac Deschênes

• Navigation • Yellow buoys mark the Olympic circle (series of racing buoys; not navigational) • White buoys mark the rapids to the north of BYC • Seabed: Mostly sand • Watch for K4 marking Blueberry Shoal • Common spots to anchor: • Off Britannia Beach • Upstream from the rapids on the Quebec side • Crystal Bay

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. Lac Deschênes – ATONs near BYC

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. • White special buoys mark a crib/obstruction/rapids • Range lights help you to line up an approach toward BYC • Use the lateral red and green buoys for your approach into the harbour Lac Deschênes – ATONs near NSC

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. • K1 and K3 green lateral buoys (circled) mark shoals/shallows • KNB (Green-red-green) – bifurcation - preferred channel to starboard • Keep it on your port side when entering and leaving NSC Lac Deschênes – ATONs near NSC

• K1 and K3 green lateral buoys (circled) mark shoals/shallows • Keep them to port when heading upriver • KNB (Green-red-green) bifurcation • Preferred channel to starboard • Treat it as a green buoy and keep it to your port side

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. Club and Marina Amenities

• *Information taken from marina web sites and local knowledge, April 2021 • None of the clubs or marinas monitor VFH Name Contact # Max draft Pump-out Fuel Amenities

Britannia 613-828- 6’ Members Members Members Yacht Club 5167 only only (COVID) only

Nepean 613-829- 5’ Members Must bring Clubhouse Sailing Club 6462 only your own (public), vistors’ dock Aylmer 819-682- ~5’ Members N/A Visitors’ dock Marina 2847 only?

Port of Call 613-832- ~5 ft $40.00 Gas (pump) Ice, towing, Marina 1414 Diesel (need SUP rentals, info@portof jerry can) mechanic call.ca Crystal Bay

• Exposed, OK to anchor overnight if calm • Seabed: Sand

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. Toward Aylmer Island

• Keep K5 and K7 green lateral buoys to port - granite outcroppings damage keels

• Busy area: Canoes, kayaks, motorboats, dinghies – keep a good lookout

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. Toward Aylmer Island

• Safest water is north and east of the island

• Watch for sailboats head-to-wind raising sails after leaving Aylmer Marina

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. • Aylmer Marina fairwater buoy (private): Safe water on either side. MoA (short-long) • Pass buoy to port when entering/leaving the marina Aylmer Island

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart.

Aylmer Island Tower Light (Fl G) Photo: Flikr - Dan the Hutt Aylmer Island

• Seabed: Mostly rocky, some sand • Island is surrounded by a rock shelf – respect the K5 and K7 green lateral buoys • With many boats anchored, you can’t put out as much scope as you’d like – watch for dragging • Don’t anchor in the channel – it’s a high-traffic area

Pros Cons Short, easy sail from any of the No protection from any strong clubs on the river wind

Beach (stony gravel, some sand) – Rock shelf wear shoes

Can get crowded especially on weekends Poison Ivy No amenities Upstream of Aylmer Island

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. • Pass between Aylmer Island and the Quebec side, not the Ontario side • Stay clear of the Armed Forces “Danger Area” • Notice the deep trench just off the Ontario shore - you can get quite close to shore under sail • You might see deer along the shore and bald eagles in the trees • Popular spot for canoes and kayaks, dinghies (Kanata Sailing Club) Pinhey’s Point

Photo: workingsail.com Pinhey’s Point

• When leaving to head upstream or approaching from upstream, don’t cut the corner on the “point” • Leave/enter the anchorage about ¼ NM downstream of the point (roughly at the first cottage) and then make the turn out of/into Navionics: Some deadheads marked the anchorage along the shore

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. Pinhey’s Point • Seabed: Mud – good holding • Submerged deadheads just off the Ontario shore; some marked by homemade buoys. Keep a lookout close to the shore. • Busy anchorage. If you have to ask another boat if you’re too close, you’re too close. • ~7 NM from BYC/NSC

Pros Cons Best protection from S, SW, W, NW Poor protection from E, SE winds winds (W, SW prevailing; E, SE less frequent) Dinghy dock provides easy shore access Can get crowded, especially on weekends – most popular anchorage Washrooms and shower (NSC Office Poison ivy has the code) Pinhey’s Point Museum Rocky shore not great for walking Onshore BBQs (charcoal) and picnic Popular, busy (not always peaceful tables, playground, walking paths Pinhey’s Point • Designated anchorage: Although not required by law (Rule 30, Canadian modifications to COLREGS), an anchor light is recommended. Sometimes boats arrive after dark. • Heavy pollen in the water early in the season. • Dinghy to the dock – the shore is shale and can damage dinghies • City of Ottawa park • Kids’ play area, walking paths, bathrooms, free parking • Parking after 11pm is at your own risk • Museum admission is by donation Heading Upstream – Pinhey’s to Baskin’s Beach

• Breckenridge Bay: Pay attention to depth; current can cause variations in the sandy bottom • Fl R marks the entrance to Port of Call marina

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. Baskin’s Beach

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. Baskin’s Beach

• Often a lee shore – check your holding often especially in higher winds • Seabed: Rocky (shale) close to shore; sandy further out • BYC maintains a park for the use of BYC members for camping and picnics • BYC and NSC (most years) have annual events onshore later in summer – check your club’s calendar

Pros Cons Good protection from S, SW, SE winds No protection from N, NW winds (prevailing). Poor protection in W wind. Unobstructed view upriver, beautiful Can be busy or noisy on weekends sunset during the day (campground/beach)

Generally secluded No dogs on the beach

Occasional wake from powerboats Baskin’s Beach to Constance Bay • Ile Allen (also known as 12 Mile Island) – pass to the south side • Baskin’s range lights: Line them up to get a safe heading into Constance Bay (or to Baskins when heading downstream) • Past Ile Allen, don’t cross the imaginary line between the red buoys • Lateral buoys K8-K11 • K11 is a mark in some upriver races – be efficient when rounding • Fun tacking into the wind either upstream or downstream

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. Baskin’s Beach to Constance Bay

• Range markers ashore next to Baskin’s Beach

• Line up the lower and higher markers to get a safe heading.

Photo: sailquest.com Ile Allen: • Approx. 100m long • Helicopter pad • Osprey nest – keep your distance to avoid disturbing them Photo above: kanatasailingclub.com/tag/12-mile-island Photo left: Jeff Skevington Constance Bay Constance Bay

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. Constance Bay

• Starboard (red) Lateral buoys K8 and K10 mark the Constance Shoal • K11 marks submerged rocks • Pass through the buoys, aim for Sand Point and enter the bay along the west side • A long sandbar juts out from Sand Point • Seabed: Sandy bottom along the west side; rocks along east • Submarine cable halfway down the bay – check chart 1550 and navigate by depth sounder if you don’t have a chart plotter • Stay 100m from shore to avoid deadheads Pros Cons Decent protection from S, SW, W Bay: Poor protection from N, NW winds. Fairweather overnight winds. anchorage. Sand Point: Poor protection from W, NW, N winds Good holding Many power boats and water sports, beach-goers; busy on weekends Sandy beach Few bugs Constance Bay

Ashore • First fire road leads to amenities on Constance Bay Road • Constance Bay General Store, LCBO outlet, Happy Times Pizza, Constance Bay Pharmacy • Second fire road leads to sandy forest paths: Walk N/NW down Bayview Drive to St Gabriel’s church. Trail entrance is off the back of the church parking lot. • The Point dining lounge is further north, closer to Fraser Point • Constance Bay Dragon Boat Festival – September • When leaving to head upstream, watch depth around Sandy point: It gets shallow suddenly. Don’t cut close to the point, and be sure to keep K13 to port .

History • Ottawa River was the major fur trading route into North America. Historical notes indicate that by the early 1900's much of the bluff had been carted away for "building purposes.”

• Like Aylmer Island, Sand Point has provided evidence of an earlier Aboriginal presence on the Ottawa River. Human bones have been found in the sand, and these are believed to be the remains of an Iroquois war party that suffered a surprise attack by French fur traders along with their Aboriginal allies (most likely Algonquin, Huron, or both). Buckham’s Bay Buckham’s Bay

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. Buckham’s Bay

• Seabed: Mud • Keep K13 and K15 green lateral buoys to port when heading upstream • Don’t cut the corner on K15 • Long narrow bay, two kilometres long but only about 250 metres wide along its entire length. Moreover, the west side of this bay is flanked by a relatively steep hill. • Not a preferred anchorage – reports of felled logs on the bottom, might foul your anchor • Stay 100m from shore to avoid deadheads

Pros Cons Good protection from W, E, and Poor protection from N winds low S winds Can be noisy on weekends Blackflies and mosquitos Felled logs Mohr Island

Photo: Flikr – Eunice Gibb Mohr Island

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. Mohr Island

• Approach anchorage from the east-northeast • Shoal and sand bar to the S-SE of the island. When leaving to head upstream, • Seabed: Sand, good holding • You cannot sail around the island • Explore the island on foot • Take your canoe/kayak/SUP/dinghy (be ready to raise your outboard; depth can reach 1ft) • Slightly stronger current at K16 due to river narrowing Pros Cons Good protection from N, S, SW, W, No facilities NW winds Generally secluded Difficult boarding point Dinghy friendly, can dinghy/kayak Black flies, mosquitoes at sunset through channel in the island

Small beach, sand bars Busy some weekends Mohr Island to Woolsey Narrows to Quyon • Narrowest part of this river between Lac Deschenes and Quyon • Prepare to tack often if the wind is on the nose • Tim Horton’s summer camp along the Quebec shore - watch for swimmers and small craft • Overhead power cables are not a danger • Not advisable to anchor is this narrow section of the river

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. Quyon, QC Quyon, QC

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. Quyon and Fitzroy Habour • Docks on the east side of the ferry structure (when available) – Depth at town docks is not always predictable. Might be as low as 4’. Word of mouth, local knowledge, Ottawa Sailing Community Facebook group. • Alternative is to anchor out in the bay to the west of the ferry structure • Tie up dinghies to the barge on the old ferry dock (upriver of the new ferry dock), and do not obstruct the old ferry. Or, tie up on the finger docks (use caution crossing the ferry) • Gavan’s Bar, Quyon Community Centre - fitness centre, washrooms, playground • Fitzroy Harbour (Ontario) is about a 40min walk from the Ontario ferry landing (Harbour Pizza will deliver) Pros Cons Good protection from N, W winds Poor protection from S winds

Good boarding point Ferry is noisy Basic provisions at the local gas station (food, ice, alcohol 10min walk from the docks) Restaurant/bar, ice cream, chip wagons Fitzroy Harbour - Quyon cable ferry • You must keep clear of the ferry. You are not the stand-on vessel. • Feel free to keep your sails up if you’re confident in your boat handling abilities in case you must wait for the ferry to pass. Otherwise, turn on your engine. • Pass by the cable ferry only when it’s on either shore and not moving. • If you absolutely must pass by the cable ferry when it is moving, always pass behind it, and stay 250 meters (800 feet) away. Never pass in front of it while it’s moving. • During a crossing, the cable ferry raises the cable from the river into its bow, and releases the cable back into the river at the stern as it makes way. • July hours: M-Th, 0530-2300, leaves every 20 min • What do you do if you get caught on the cable? • Put engine in neutral • See if you can reverse off • If you’re stuck on the cable and the ferry departs (and you’re not sure it sees you): • Raising and lowering slowly and repeatedly both arms outstretched to each side. • Making a continuous sound with any fog-signalling apparatus. • Call the ferry office 819.458.2032. They do not use or monitor VHF. • In 1893, it cost 50 cents to take a two-horse cart across the river • Quyon Ferry: http://www.quyonferry.com/ Pontiac Bay Pontiac Bay

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. Pontiac Bay

• Navigation is tricky - you need waypoints (local knowledge) and GPS – Approach from the west – Rocky “w” channel: private buoys to mark the channel, if they still exist, might be inaccurate. Easy to get stuck in the maze. – Follow a boat with a greater draft than yours and go slowly • Seabed is rocky (Canadian Shield) • Chats Falls Dam releases water occasionally throughout the summer – sudden strong surge would be problematic and you would likely drag

Pros Cons Scenic No facilities Secluded Risky navigation and anchoring

Tim Hortons camp nearby can be noisy Alexandra Island and Chats Falls Dam

Photo: On Location Machining Services Ltd. Alexandra Island and Chats Falls Dam

Not for navigational purposes. Always refer to a current nautical chart. Alexandra Island and Chats Falls Dam • Alexandra Island – anchor: • To the west of the island • Downstream from the island, closer to the Ontario side, beside the waterski course • Seabed: Sandy • Watch out for the rock which covers and uncovers of the northwest end of the island • Seabed: Sand • Stay away from the base of the dam – can be severe turbulence and undertows • If the dam control gates release water from the reservoir, strong currents develop – dragging hazard Pros Cons Good protection from low S and Poor protection from strong E winds winds from W, N Scenic Flood gates at the Chats Falls Dam

Secluded Resources

• Chart 1 Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms Used on Charts • Canadian Coast Guard Notices to Mariners – NOTMAR – Ottawa River • International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 with Canadian Modifications • Ottawa River buoys • Lac Deschenes charts (NSC web site) • Quyon Ferry • Safe Boating Guide from Transport Canada • Ottawa River virtual cruise (includes Ottawa River history) • “Planning to Sail to New Water-Locked Islands in the Ottawa River” - The Wakes I Leave… blog entry (2017) • Anchoring – Basics: http://sailquest.com/ottawa/anchor5.htm – Etiquette: http://cruising.coastalboating.net/Seamanship/Anchoring/Etiquette.html