The crossing of the Rideau River was a common practice between Donald Street and Somerset East Street as there where no bridge to connect these two communities.
For almost a hundred years people would cross the river on bikes and on foot as the water current was slow and the water was less then a foot deep during the dry summer season. I spoke with women named Amanda near the crossing and she told me that she use to cross the river on a daily basis in the 60's just to go to school. "Ottawa University". In 2015 the city of Ottawa will be building a bridge across the river connecting both communities at last. The city of Ottawa has also put up signs where the crossing use to be to ensure nobody uses this old method of crossing the river. The danger signs say "danger of swift water currents". I have been talking with locals and they assure me that its safe to cross during the summer seasons. Location ID #LS0003
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