Who knew? I certainly didn't. There are preserved ruins from the 1800s in Merrickville, Ontario. The ruins are located on the far side of the swing bridge that goes over the Canal. Not many visitors walk. let alone drive, that area.
The ruins include a foundry, a tannery, a flour mill, a sawmill, a grist mill (that later became a flour mill), a cooper shop and the military blockhouse.
The following two websites provide a brief summary of the area
A few pictures of the ruins
Adjacent to the ruins is a small Ontario Hydro generating station. A generator that was in use from 1915 to 1993 is on display amongst the ruins
An old iron fence/gate features a small bird built into the iron work.
The canal at this time of year is drained, which exposed the turning basin between two sets of locks just downstream from the bridge and the locks close to the bridge
Locks are required wherever there is a change in water level. And there is certainly that at Merrickville.
Two overhead views of the waterfalls (man made) at Merrickville, the main Rideau river channel and a small channel next to the generating station. Both were in spring run off although the small channel was very well controlled.
Side view of the main Rideau River flow
And it seemed spring had arrived enough that there were clouds of tiny flies near the water