Geography of Ottawa

This is the outline of the geography of the city of Ottawa, the capital of Canada. Ottawa's current borders were formed in 2001, when the former city of Ottawa amalgamated with the ten other municipalities within the former Regional Municipality of Ottawa–Carleton. Ottawa is now a single-tiered census division, home to 1,017,449 people.[1]

National Capital Region by SPOT Satellite in 2003

The city centre is located at the confluence of the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers. The Ottawa River forms the entire northern boundary of the city which it shares with the province of Quebec's municipalities of Pontiac and Gatineau. The northern boundary begins in the west at Arnprior and continues east to Rockland. The boundary then turns south in a straight line, separating the former Township of Cumberland (now in Ottawa) and the City of Clarence-Rockland. It then turns west in another straight line separating the former Township of Cumberland with the municipalities of The Nation and Russell. It then turns south separating Russell from the former Township of Osgoode (now in Ottawa). That boundary runs south in a straight line, then turns west separating Osgoode from the municipality of North Dundas. That boundary runs west in a straight line before turning north separating Osgoode from the municipality of North Grenville. This is another straight line, running north until the Rideau River near Kemptville. The boundary follows the river upstream until almost reaching Merrickville. The boundary then runs in a northwest direction in a straight line with a number of jogs. It separates the municipalities of Montague, Beckwith and Mississippi Mills from the former townships of Marlborough, Goulbourn, Huntley and Fitzroy.

Topography

The highest point in Ottawa is 166 m (545 ft) above sea level, and is located 2.6 km (1.6 mi) SSE of Manion Corners (45°14′05″N 76°03′03″W / 45.23472°N 76.05083°W / 45.23472; -76.05083 (Ottawa high point)).[2] The lowest point in the city is the Ottawa River, at 44 m (144 ft) above sea level.

Highest points by ward

Map of Ottawa showing urban area, highways, waterways, and historic townships
WardHighest pointElevation (approx.)
West Carleton-March Ward2.6 km (1.6 mi) SSE of Manion Corners166 m (545 ft)
Rideau-Goulbourn Ward8 km (5.0 mi) N of Munster on Jinkinson Road153 m (502 ft)
Kanata South WardGlen Cairn Reservoir131 m (430 ft)
College WardKhymer Court129 m (423 ft)
Stittsville WardRockson Crescent128 m (420 ft)
Kanata North WardHuntsville Drive126 m (413 ft)
Osgoode Ward1 km (0.62 mi) SE of Bank Street at Rideau Road120 m (390 ft)
Cumberland WardCumberland Ridge Drive120 m (390 ft)
Barrhaven WardCedarview Road120 m (390 ft)
Gloucester-Southgate WardTom Roberts Avenue119 m (390 ft)
Knoxdale-Merivale WardCedarview Road at Cedarhill Drive115 m (377 ft)
River WardCarlington Hill115 m (377 ft)
Bay WardWesley Clover Parks114 m (374 ft)
Gloucester-South Nepean WardOsgoode Link Pathway at High Road114 m (374 ft)
Innes Ward200 m (660 ft) WSW of Forest Ridge Pumping Station114 m (374 ft)
Beacon Hill-Cyrville WardQuarry Park113 m (371 ft)
Rideau-Rockcliffe WardFoxview Place106 m (348 ft)
Alta Vista WardAlta Vista Drive at Randall Avenue102 m (335 ft)
Capital WardBank Street at Alta Vista Drive96 m (315 ft)
Orléans WardClearcrest Crescent93 m (305 ft)
Kitchissippi WardMaitland Avenue Bridge89 m (292 ft)
Somerset WardParliament Hill86 m (282 ft)
Rideau-Vanier WardRichelieu Park75 m (246 ft)

Geology

Stromatolite strata near Champlain Bridge
Mer Bleue bog
Burnt Lands Alvar

Many features of geologic interest are found in Ottawa.[3]

SiteFeature
W. Erskine Johnston Public SchoolGlacially sculpted Precambrian gneiss outcrops
Kanata Centrum Shopping CentreSandstone and dolomite outcrops
Stony Swamp Conservation AreaCambrian-Ordovician sandstone strata
Champlain BridgeStromatolite fossils
Westboro BeachStromatolite, orthocone and trace fossils
Transitway at Roosevelt AvenueStromatolite fossils
Tunney's PastureCross-section of the Gloucester Fault
Geological Survey of CanadaFossiliferous limestone outcrop
Hog's Back FallsOrdovician sedimentary rocks and the Gloucester Fault
Mer Bleue BogBoreal peatland
Victoria IslandDune bedforms and fossiliferous limestone
Lady Grey DriveOrdovician limestone deposits
Pinhey's PointGlacial erratics
Petrie IslandSedimentary shoreline with imported Ordovician blocks
Carp HillsOutcrops of the Canadian Shield
Pinhey Sand DunesDunes from an ancient shoreline of the Champlain Sea
Cardinal Creek KarstPaleozoic karst
Burnt Lands AlvarLimestone alvar
Colonel By ValleyShallow valley that descends into the Ottawa River
Nanny Goat HillSteep limestone escarpment

Climate

Classification

Ottawa Climate according to major climate systems
Climatic schemeInitialsDescription
Köppen system[4][5]DfbWarm-summer humid continental climate
Trewartha system[6]DcbContinental climate


Recent data

Climate data for Ottawa (Central Experimental Farm), elevation: 79.2 m (260 ft), 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1872–present[a]
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)15.6
(60.1)
12.7
(54.9)
26.7
(80.1)
31.2
(88.2)
35.2
(95.4)
36.7
(98.1)
37.8
(100.0)
37.8
(100.0)
36.7
(98.1)
29.4
(84.9)
23.3
(73.9)
17.2
(63.0)
37.8
(100.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−5.8
(21.6)
−3.1
(26.4)
2.4
(36.3)
11.4
(52.5)
19.0
(66.2)
24.1
(75.4)
26.6
(79.9)
25.4
(77.7)
20.5
(68.9)
12.8
(55.0)
5.5
(41.9)
−2.0
(28.4)
11.4
(52.5)
Daily mean °C (°F)−10.2
(13.6)
−7.9
(17.8)
−2.2
(28.0)
6.5
(43.7)
13.5
(56.3)
18.7
(65.7)
21.2
(70.2)
19.9
(67.8)
15.3
(59.5)
8.4
(47.1)
2.0
(35.6)
−5.6
(21.9)
6.6
(43.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−14.4
(6.1)
−12.5
(9.5)
−6.8
(19.8)
1.5
(34.7)
8.0
(46.4)
13.3
(55.9)
15.7
(60.3)
14.5
(58.1)
10.1
(50.2)
4.0
(39.2)
−1.5
(29.3)
−9.2
(15.4)
1.9
(35.4)
Record low °C (°F)−37.8
(−36.0)
−38.3
(−36.9)
−36.7
(−34.1)
−20.6
(−5.1)
−7.2
(19.0)
0.0
(32.0)
3.3
(37.9)
1.1
(34.0)
−4.4
(24.1)
−12.8
(9.0)
−30.6
(−23.1)
−38.9
(−38.0)
−38.9
(−38.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches)62.9
(2.48)
49.7
(1.96)
57.5
(2.26)
71.1
(2.80)
86.6
(3.41)
92.7
(3.65)
84.4
(3.32)
83.8
(3.30)
92.7
(3.65)
85.9
(3.38)
82.7
(3.26)
69.5
(2.74)
919.5
(36.20)
Average rainfall mm (inches)23.0
(0.91)
17.9
(0.70)
28.8
(1.13)
63.2
(2.49)
86.6
(3.41)
92.7
(3.65)
84.4
(3.32)
83.8
(3.30)
92.7
(3.65)
83.1
(3.27)
67.5
(2.66)
31.9
(1.26)
755.5
(29.74)
Average snowfall cm (inches)44.3
(17.4)
34.7
(13.7)
29.1
(11.5)
7.2
(2.8)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
2.9
(1.1)
16.0
(6.3)
41.3
(16.3)
175.4
(69.1)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)16.011.711.513.214.512.411.611.212.914.915.215.6160.7
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)3.73.55.511.514.412.411.611.212.914.611.65.5118.3
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)14.19.77.42.70.080.00.00.00.00.815.112.252.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours99.3131.3167.1189.8229.8254.2279.0249.3177.6139.484.382.62,083.7
Percent possible sunshine35.044.945.346.949.954.358.957.147.141.029.430.345.0
Average ultraviolet index1235687753114
Source: Environment Canada[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] and Weather Atlas[16]
Climate data for Ottawa (Ottawa International Airport), elevation: 114 m (374 ft), 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1938–present
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high humidex13.915.130.035.141.844.047.247.042.533.926.118.447.2
Record high °C (°F)12.9
(55.2)
12.4
(54.3)
27.4
(81.3)
31.1
(88.0)
35.8
(96.4)
36.1
(97.0)
36.7
(98.1)
37.8
(100.0)
35.1
(95.2)
27.8
(82.0)
23.9
(75.0)
17.9
(64.2)
37.8
(100.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−5.8
(21.6)
−3.4
(25.9)
2.5
(36.5)
11.6
(52.9)
19.0
(66.2)
24.1
(75.4)
26.5
(79.7)
25.3
(77.5)
20.4
(68.7)
12.7
(54.9)
5.4
(41.7)
−2.3
(27.9)
11.3
(52.3)
Daily mean °C (°F)−10.3
(13.5)
−8.1
(17.4)
−2.3
(27.9)
6.3
(43.3)
13.3
(55.9)
18.5
(65.3)
21.0
(69.8)
19.8
(67.6)
15.0
(59.0)
8.0
(46.4)
1.5
(34.7)
−6.2
(20.8)
6.4
(43.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−14.8
(5.4)
−12.7
(9.1)
−7.0
(19.4)
1.0
(33.8)
7.5
(45.5)
12.9
(55.2)
15.5
(59.9)
14.3
(57.7)
9.6
(49.3)
3.3
(37.9)
−2.4
(27.7)
−10.1
(13.8)
1.4
(34.5)
Record low °C (°F)−35.6
(−32.1)
−36.1
(−33.0)
−30.6
(−23.1)
−16.7
(1.9)
−5.6
(21.9)
−0.1
(31.8)
5.0
(41.0)
2.6
(36.7)
−3.0
(26.6)
−8.0
(17.6)
−21.7
(−7.1)
−34.4
(−29.9)
−36.1
(−33.0)
Record low wind chill−47.8−47.6−42.7−26.3−10.90.00.00.0−6.4−13.3−29.5−44.6−47.8
Average precipitation mm (inches)65.4
(2.57)
54.3
(2.14)
64.4
(2.54)
74.5
(2.93)
80.3
(3.16)
92.8
(3.65)
91.9
(3.62)
85.5
(3.37)
90.1
(3.55)
86.1
(3.39)
81.9
(3.22)
76.4
(3.01)
943.4
(37.14)
Average rainfall mm (inches)25.0
(0.98)
18.7
(0.74)
31.1
(1.22)
63.0
(2.48)
80.1
(3.15)
92.8
(3.65)
91.9
(3.62)
85.5
(3.37)
90.1
(3.55)
82.2
(3.24)
64.5
(2.54)
33.5
(1.32)
758.2
(29.85)
Average snowfall cm (inches)53.9
(21.2)
43.3
(17.0)
38.3
(15.1)
11.3
(4.4)
0.2
(0.1)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
3.7
(1.5)
20.2
(8.0)
52.5
(20.7)
223.5
(88.0)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)16.613.112.712.413.413.211.911.012.314.315.217.4163.6
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)4.43.96.710.913.413.211.911.012.313.711.06.0118.4
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)16.112.18.83.50.170.00.00.00.01.16.814.763.3
Average relative humidity (%)67.561.356.650.249.953.153.755.059.161.668.172.259.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours122.4114.1168.5187.5210.5274.0301.4231.9211.5148.892.468.82,131.7
Percent possible sunshine43.139.045.746.345.758.663.753.156.143.732.225.246.0
Source: Environment Canada[17][18][19][20][21][22]

Notes

Historical data

Climate data for Ottawa (Central Experimental Farm), elevation: 79 m (259 ft), 1961-1990 normals
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−6.4
(20.5)
−4.5
(23.9)
1.8
(35.2)
10.8
(51.4)
18.6
(65.5)
23.6
(74.5)
26.4
(79.5)
24.7
(76.5)
19.7
(67.5)
12.8
(55.0)
4.8
(40.6)
−3.6
(25.5)
10.7
(51.3)
Daily mean °C (°F)−10.7
(12.7)
−9.2
(15.4)
−2.6
(27.3)
5.9
(42.6)
13.0
(55.4)
18.1
(64.6)
20.8
(69.4)
19.4
(66.9)
14.7
(58.5)
8.3
(46.9)
1.5
(34.7)
−7.2
(19.0)
6.0
(42.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−15.1
(4.8)
−14.0
(6.8)
−7.1
(19.2)
0.9
(33.6)
7.3
(45.1)
12.5
(54.5)
15.3
(59.5)
14.1
(57.4)
9.6
(49.3)
3.8
(38.8)
−1.9
(28.6)
−11.0
(12.2)
1.2
(34.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches)50.8
(2.00)
49.7
(1.96)
56.6
(2.23)
64.8
(2.55)
76.8
(3.02)
84.3
(3.32)
86.5
(3.41)
87.8
(3.46)
83.6
(3.29)
74.7
(2.94)
81.0
(3.19)
72.9
(2.87)
869.5
(34.24)
Average rainfall mm (inches)14.1
(0.56)
14.7
(0.58)
30.0
(1.18)
57.8
(2.28)
76.2
(3.00)
84.3
(3.32)
86.5
(3.41)
87.8
(3.46)
83.6
(3.29)
71.8
(2.83)
64.1
(2.52)
29.5
(1.16)
700.4
(27.59)
Average snowfall cm (inches)46.1
(18.1)
41.0
(16.1)
27.2
(10.7)
6.7
(2.6)
0.6
(0.2)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
2.9
(1.1)
19.1
(7.5)
53.9
(21.2)
197.5
(77.5)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)151212121313121213131516158
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)33611131312121313115115
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)141172trace0000trace51453
Mean monthly sunshine hours103.4129.2158.7188.1232.5253.0279.0240.5170.0137.981.980.12,054.3
Source: Environment Canada[23]
Climate data for Ottawa (Ottawa International Airport), elevation: 116 m (381 ft), 1938-1990 normals
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−6.3
(20.7)
−4.6
(23.7)
1.8
(35.2)
10.8
(51.4)
18.6
(65.5)
23.6
(74.5)
26.4
(79.5)
24.6
(76.3)
19.6
(67.3)
12.8
(55.0)
4.7
(40.5)
−3.7
(25.3)
10.7
(51.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)−10.8
(12.6)
−9.2
(15.4)
−2.7
(27.1)
5.6
(42.1)
12.8
(55.0)
17.9
(64.2)
20.8
(69.4)
19.2
(66.6)
14.3
(57.7)
7.9
(46.2)
1.0
(33.8)
−7.6
(18.3)
5.8
(42.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−15.5
(4.1)
−14.0
(6.8)
−7.3
(18.9)
0.3
(32.5)
7.1
(44.8)
12.2
(54.0)
15.1
(59.2)
13.7
(56.7)
8.9
(48.0)
3.0
(37.4)
−2.8
(27.0)
−11.7
(10.9)
0.8
(33.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches)58.0
(2.28)
58.6
(2.31)
64.8
(2.55)
69.0
(2.72)
76.4
(3.01)
76.9
(3.03)
88.1
(3.47)
92.0
(3.62)
82.9
(3.26)
74.8
(2.94)
86.4
(3.40)
82.5
(3.25)
910.4
(35.84)
Average rainfall mm (inches)15.3
(0.60)
16.4
(0.65)
32.0
(1.26)
58.0
(2.28)
74.8
(2.94)
76.9
(3.03)
88.1
(3.47)
92.0
(3.62)
82.9
(3.26)
70.3
(2.77)
62.5
(2.46)
32.6
(1.28)
701.8
(27.62)
Average snowfall cm (inches)49.6
(19.5)
45.2
(17.8)
32.3
(12.7)
9.1
(3.6)
1.2
(0.5)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
4.1
(1.6)
24.2
(9.5)
55.8
(22.0)
221.5
(87.2)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)161313121312111112131618160
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)33710121211111212116110
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)151293trace0000181664
Average relative humidity (%)71686661616667717473777769
Source: Environment Canada[24]

Rivers and creeks

The Mississippi River.
The Rideau River is one of the two main rivers in Ottawa
The Ottawa River outside of Parliament Hill.

Tributaries of the Ottawa River (from east to west):

The Jock River

Tributaries of the Rideau River (from north to south):

Other rivers and creeks within City of Ottawa:

Features of the Ottawa River

Kìwekì Point
Chaudière Falls

(from east to west)

Features of the Rideau River

Rideau Falls

(from north to south)

Waterfalls

Lakes

Brewer Park Pond

References

External links