Dows Lake recreational dock an NCC pilot project to assess Ottawa as ‘water city’

Water testing near the new dock on Dow’s Lake in Ottawa on Tuesday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /PostmediaArticle content

A new dock at Dow’s Lake opened on May 8, offering Ottawans a new way to connect with the water, and maybe, eventually, go for a swim.

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The project is part of the National Capital Commission’s efforts to make shorelines more accessible and enjoyable, says Jennifer Halsall, the project lead. She says the dock is about more than infrastructure, but also about reconnecting with Ottawa’s natural features.

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“We’re a water city, even though we don’t always think of ourselves that way,” she said. “Dow’s Lake is a perfect example. You’ve got an urban lake in the heart of your city. We wanted to bring people out and show them this is Canada’s urban cottage right in your backyard.”

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The dock is a pilot project, built with minimal environmental impact. It includes safety features like life rings, a ladder, grab bars along the edge of the dock and lighting for evening use. It’s open from dawn until dusk and will be monitored for usage and feedback throughout the summer.

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“We always have sub-goals under any project,” Halsall said. “We want them to be universally accessible, we want it to be highly used … and accessible to a diverse array of users, whether you’re a paddleboarder, whether you just like to have a picnic or someone who likes a quiet read,” Halsall said.

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Water testing near the new dock on Dow’s Lake in Ottawa on Tuesday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /PostmediaArticle content

The Dow’s Lake project is a direct response to what the NCC heard from residents, Halsall said. People have asked for better access to the water, more seating and features that are accessible for all users.

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“Dow’s Lake is a really special area because you have the Dow’s Lake LRT station,” Halsall said. “You also have the Nexus point between many multi-use pathways. So you have a lot of bike traffic here.”

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Jennifer Halsall is the project lead for the NCC’s new Dow’s Lake recreational dock. Photo by Douaa Qadadia /POSTMEDIAArticle content

Swimming is not allowed yet from the new dock, but that could change, Halsall said. The NCC is currently testing the water quality at Dow’s Lake and says it will let that data guide next steps.

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“We have heard people wanted more seating. We have heard people wanted to be on the water. We have heard people wanted features to be accessible,” she said.

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Ottawa resident Amine Aidoun discovered the dock while biking through the area. He called Dow’s Lake his favourite spot in the city, and said this new addition affirmed that.