Although the falls on the Ottawa River are nowhere near the size and glory of Niagara Falls, they are definitely one of the most interesting places in the city and should not escape your notice.

Chaudière Falls is a set of small waterfalls and cascades where the Ottawa River narrows significantly and flows past Chaudière, Victoria and Albert Islands.

The falls are also sometimes referred to by the Aboriginal names "Kana:tso" or "Akikodjiwan".

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Dam and boardwalk along the raging river

The area has an industrial history, as there were several mills, paper mills and later hydroelectric power plants on the site.

During the 20th century, a dam was built above the falls with a small modern hydroelectric plant that dramatically changed the character of the river.

The dam is in the shape of a 60-metre wide horseshoe or spout into which water rushes from a height of 15 metres and then gurgles down a narrow channel towards the centre of the town.

Chaudiere Falls

Beautifully maintained pedestrian promenades with benches run along the falls.

Despite Chaudière Falls being, in our opinion, one of the prettiest places in Ottawa, there are very few tourists and you can enjoy the peace and quiet with the monumental backdrop.

Chaudiere Falls

How to get there

The Falls can be reached on foot from downtown Ottawa in about 30 minutes with a nice walk along the Parliament Buildings, the Supreme Court and the Canadian War Museum.

If you cross the river, after another 20 minutes or so of walking along the river on the boardwalk, you'll reach the Canadian Museum of History.

Bus lines 8 and 13 run across Chaudière Island to reach the Canadian Museum of History or Pimisi Metro Station.