Summer's over, but if you're not ready to hang up the swimsuit just yet, Ottawa's public swimming docks are still open, for now.
The National Capital Commission (@ncc_ccn) posted a reminder this week that the Capital's waterfront swim spots are closing on a staggered schedule as the season winds down. If a last dip in the Ottawa River or Dow's Lake has been on your list, here's the countdown.
The closing dates
According to the NCC, the docks will shut down in this order:
- Dow's Lake Dock: open until October 2
- Museum Dock and East Wharf Dock: open until October 12
- NCC River House: open until the end of October
That gives Ottawa a full month to squeeze in the last of the season's swims, though the water is only going to get colder from here.
Where to find them
Dow's Lake, next to the Arboretum and a short walk from Carleton University, has long been one of the city's more low-key swimming spots, especially popular with paddlers and dragon boat crews cooling off after a session on the water. The Museum Dock and East Wharf Dock sit along the Ottawa River near the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, giving swimmers a view of Parliament Hill while they float. The NCC River House, meanwhile, is the newest addition to the Capital's riverfront amenities and gets the longest run of the three, staying open through the end of October.
All three are part of the NCC's push over the past several years to make the region's waterways more accessible for public swimming, following water quality testing and infrastructure upgrades along the Ottawa River.
A season to remember
The NCC's post leaned into the bittersweet turn of the calendar, noting that Ottawans will soon be "trading swims for sweaters" as fall properly sets in. It's a fair trade: this city does autumn colour along the Rideau Canal and the Gatineau Hills about as well as anywhere in the country. But for those chasing one more swim before the water gets too cold to justify it, the next few weeks are the window.
As always with outdoor swimming, check conditions before you head out. Water temperatures drop fast in late September and October, and the NCC's posted hours can shift with weather or maintenance needs.
Source: Instagram, @ncc_ccn
