Saint-Ours Canal

Opened in 1849, this canal was an integral part of the vast network of navigable waterways built in Canada in the 19th century. Its lock and dam, along with the Chambly Canal upstream, allowed boats to navigate the Richelieu from the St. Lawrence to Lake Champlain, providing access to the Hudson River thus linking Montréal to New York City. At first, the canal played an important economic role by facilitating the export of goods, such as agricultural and forestry products, in exchange for American coal. During the 20th century, commercial navigation on the canal gradually gave way to pleasure boating.

Ouvert en 1849, ce canal fit partie intégrante du vaste réseau canadien de voies navigables construit au XIXe siècle. Son écluse et son barrage, conjugués au canal de Chambly en amont, rendirent le Richelieu navigable du fleuve Saint-Laurent au lac Champlain, ce qui permit de gagner le fleuve Hudson et ainsi, de relier Montréal à New York. Le canal joua d’abord un rôle économique important en facilitant l’exportation de marchandises, tels les produits agricoles et forestiers, en retour de charbon américain. Au cours du XXe siècle, le canal vit la batellerie commerciale céder graduellement le pas à la navigation de plaisance.